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' JAMES GORDON, 

T ftA fi/lerchsnt, 

B-i xisdale: ST. 

K, HAMILTON, - - ONT. 


TO 

irixe, €0q., S^ncral iHanagxr, 

KC A. IS/^ 1 T 0 1^T , 

THIS BOOK 

IS 

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 

BY . 

- ' 

THE AUTHOR. 


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CONTENTS 


POEMS. 

PAGE 

Our Queen . . . . . . . . . . 17 

The Land that’s Truly Free .. .. 19 

A Shillin’ or Twa . . . . . . . , . . 22 

Ne’er Talk Lightly o’ a Woman . . . . . 25 

It’s Best to Fla’e Ceevility . . . . . . . . 27 

Awa’, Ye Warldly Crew . . . . . . , . 30 

The Lord Helps Them that Help Themsel’s . . . . ... 32 

Be Honest Yoursel’ . . . . . . . . . $5 

Debt . . . . . . . , . . . . . . 36 

Do a’ the Guid Ye Can . . , . . . 39 

The Wheel Within a Wheel . . . . . . . . 41 

I’m a Glasco Chappie . . . . . . . . 44 

A Mither’s Troubles . . . . . . . . . . 46 

A Cheerie Ingle-side . . . . . . . . . . 49 

Crape on the Door . . . . . . . . . . 52 

As Ye Sow So Shall Ye Reap . . . . . . 54 

Wee Tot . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 

Grandpa’s Pet . . . . . . . . . . 58 

The Real Sandy Mackay . . . . . . . . . . 62 

The Nearer the Kirk the Farther from Grace . . . . 64 

An Epistle to D. Manwell . . . . . . . . 66 

To Wm. Murray, Esq., Hamilton .. .. . 71 

To Adam Brown, Esq., Hamilton . , . . . . . . 74 

To'Mr. Paul Stuart . . . . . . . , • • 77 


XIV 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

My Mither^s Advice . • . . . . . . . . 79 

There^s Mickle Cry and Little Woo’ . . . . . . 82 

Tak’ Things as They Come . . . . , . . . 85 

Dinna Despair . . . . . . , . . . . 87 

Our Wee Jeanie . . . . . . . . . . 89 

The Last Farewecl ... . . . . . . 92 

The Widow’s Wail .. .. ... . .. 95 

Not Lost But Gone Before . . . . . . . . 96 

Scotland . . . . ... . . . . . . 98 

Remember the Poor . . . . . . . . . loi 

The Gathering of the Clans . . . . . . . . 104 

Auld Scotia’s Games . . . . . . . . . . 107 

Peter Fraser, Esq. . . . . . . . . . . 109 

The Auld Scotchman’s Welcome to His First Fit . , . . 113 

There’s Mony a Slip ’Twixt the Cup an’ the Lip . . . . 115 

They’ll Ha’e Lang Spoons That’ll Sup wi’ the Deil .. .. 116 

The Champion Drunkard of Ontario . . . . . . 118 

Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 

Fireside Memories . . . . . . . . . . 122 

The Laborer’s Return . . . . . . . . ..124 

Respect the Dead .. .. .. .. .. 126 

The Engine Driver . . . . . . . . . . 128 

A Sabbath Morn’s Reverie .. .. .. .. 131 

Little Lizzie ... .. .. .. .. ... 132 

Rain .. .. ... .. 133 

Our Bonnie Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 

Impromptu (On a Buffalo’s Head) . . . . . . 136 

Spring Thoughts . . . . . . . . . . 138 

To Wm. Durdan , . . . . . . . . . 141 

Westward Ho ! . . . . . . . . . . 143 

Morning . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 

Tribute to Rosa D’Erina . . . . . . . . . . 145 

To Miss Maggie M . . . . . . . . 147 

To Miss Annie Browne . . . . . . . . . . 148 

Give Us Bread .. .. .. .. .. 151 


CONTENTS. 

XV 


PAGE 

Where are you, John ? 

..153 

Second Epistle to Wm. Murray 

156 

Reply to the Toast of the Press 

157 

Spirit of the Times 

,159 

On the late Stewart Malcomson, Esq. 

. . 163 

A Vision ~ . . . . . . . 

164 

John Smith 

. . 165 

Women’s Rights 

166 

The Grecian Bend 

169 

Canadian Women 

I 70 

The Joys of Life Insurance 

. . 172 

Impromptu Reply to the Toast of “ Our Guests ” 

174 

The Wood Question 

..176 

Canada’s Appeal to the ‘‘ Paris” Crew . . 

178 

The Printer 

. . 180 

Delays are Dangerous 

182 

Glackmeyer’s Soliloquy 

184 

Canada to Brother Jonathan . . . . 

186 

A Tale of the City 

. . 188 

Our Gallant Fire Brigade ” . . 

190 

Beautiful Snow . . 

192 

Wanted 

194 

Bob Berry 

..197 

MISCELLANEOUS. 


Going One Better 

198 

Meteorological . . 

00 

o^ 

Breezy 

199 

A Child’s Thought ^ 

. . 199 

Impromptu Apostrophe to Rosa D’Erina 

200 

Impromptu 

. . 200 

Poets’ Names 

200 

Which Author Wrote Most ? 

. . 200 

Marriage Notices 

202, 203, 204 

Poetical Addresses 

. . 205, 206 


XVI 


CONTENTS. 


SONGS. 

PAGE 

Fair Canada 

207 

The Lovely Maid of Hamilton 

. . 209 

The Wee Pet Lammie 

211 

Athol’s Bonnie Gem , . . . 

.213 

I’ll Aye Be True to Thee 

214 

I Dinna Ken 

.,215 

Dan Black . . 

. . 217 

A Wifie o’ Your Ain 

. . 219 

Johnnie Waugh . . . . . , 

221 

The Deil’s Got In the Lasses, O 

. . 223 

A Wee Drappie O’t . . 

225 

Watty Muirhead 

. . 226 

Rosa, Dear , , 

227 

The Caledonian 

. . 229 

The Thirteenth is Ready 

231 

Robert Burns 

, . 232 

A Song for St. Andrew’s Day . . 

234 

Auld Scotia’s Roaring Game 

. . 236 

Donald Dinnie 

238 

The Laird o’ the Station Hotel 

. . 240 

A Song, a Song for Canada 

242 


LOCAL PIECES. 


A City Lyric 

• • 244 

Wha’s to be Our Mayor Now ? 

247 

The City Park 

. . 249 

The Woman in Black 

252 

Advertise 

•• 254 


PREFACE. 


In these days the notion prevails that poetry, like 
miracles, has ceased, and it requires a certain amount 
of courage for an individual unknown to fame to 
come forward and say, varying the memorable ex- 
pression of a great painter, that he, too, is a poet. 
This is the age not only of mechanical invention, 
supposed to be the very antithesis of poetry, but — 
more dreadful still — of criticism ; the terrors of which 
make timorous poets pause. Homer and Milton 
stood in no dread of reviewers ; though, to do justice 
to our own time, it must be added that they were at 
certain disadvantages for want of publishers ! We 
are most of us half conscious of a belief that poetry 
was to be looked for as a matter of course in days 
gone by, when shepherds piped by the banks of 
classic streams, and when scholars assembled in 
academic groves ; or when, in more recent times, 
our own poets found inspiration by lake and moun- 
tain, around some — 

“ Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain, 
or in meditative quiet and solemn stillness of the 


X 


PREFACE. 


country churchyard. But can poetry be born amid 
the noisy rattle of the loom, the birr of wheels, 
the clang of hammers, the screaming whistle and 
thundering rush of the locomotive ? The possi- 
bility of such a thing is perhaps barely admitted, but 
we all put it among things unexpected and not likely 
to happen. 

However, out of the nettle danger may be plucked 
the flower safety sometimes ; and the writer of the 
following unpretending collection thinks that his 
own is a case in point. In the newspaper press — 
the result and representative of what steam, the 
telegraph, and mechanical invention generally can 
achieve, the office of which, along with that of giving 
news, is criticism— he has found the bridge that has 
carried him where otherwise, perhaps, he would not 
have ventured. Had it been proposed to him some 
years ago to come before the public with a book — ^ 
actually a book — ^he would have thought that an 
experiment was being made on his simplicity. But, 
pushing out, as it were, his little boat now and then, 
and always keeping near shore, he finds himself at 
last induced to make a larger venture. Giving his 
verses to the public at intervals for a number of 
years past, through the medium of the newspaper 
press, the public so favorably received them that he 
was encouraged to keep on. And so it comes to 
pass that in the joint result and triumph of two 


PREFACE. 


XI 


supposed anti-poetical powers, that of mechanics and 
criticism together — the newspaper press — the poet 
finds, if not the wings to fly aloft with, at least the 
medium in which he may more easily bear himself 
up* The press gave the opportunity, the public have 
given a most encouraging measure of approval, and 
the author invites the public to consider themselves 
in no small degree responsible for the appearance of 
this little volume. 

One merit the author is bold to claim, that of 
sincerity. He ventures to say, with Robert Nicoll-— 
too early lost to the world — that he has written his 
heart in his poems ; and that rude, unfinished, and 
hasty as they are, it can be read there.’' As he has 
really felt, or believed, or imagined, so has he writ- 
ten ; and, whatever faults of expression there may 
be in his efforts, there is no failure in honesty of 
intention. Having neither read much nor travelled 
far, nor been able to put the world of nature and of 
history under contribution, he has found his subjects 
chiefly among the familiar scenes and every-day 
experiences of his own humble walk in life ; taking 
such colour and impression of them as residence in a 
busy commercial and manufacturing city like Hamil- 
ton could not fail to present. Most of his lines have 
been struck out amid the din of the Great Western 
boiler shop, during working hours, and have been 
committed to paper in the evening, after the labours 


xii 


PREFACie. 


of the day were over. If there be poetry in them at 
all, it is such as comes from homely, natural inspira- 
tion, unaided either by varied reading or literary 
leisure. 

Many of the pieces are written in the Lowland 
Scottish dialect, the author’s mother tongue, which 
abounds with words having no exact equivalent in 
the English of the present day — words that, within 
a certain range of subjects, add much to the poet’s 
resources of rhyme and expression. And such Eng- 
lish as the poet uses is the plain, popular Saxon 
speech, unmixed with long words of learned deriva- 
tion. If the public give no worse welcome to this 
collection than they have generally given to the 
author’s pieces, as they appeared singly, he will con- 
sider himself to have been favourably judged and 
well received. 


Hamilton, Canada, Sept., 1873. 


POEMS AND SONGS 


BY 

A, H. WINGFIELD. 


Our Queen, our guid and gracious Queen, 
Lang may she live and reign ! 

For lang it may be e'er we ha'e 
The like o' her again. 

God send her mony happy days — ^ 

As mony as she's seen. 

And ilka ane bring peace and joy 
To our beloved Queen. 

Few names are mair revered than hers. 

And few deserve to be. 

For there is nane that's filled her place 
Frae fau'ts has been sae free. 

To a' that's wrang she's been a foe — 

To a' that's richt a frien'. 

And Britain canna boast a gem 
Mair bright than Britain's Queen. 

A 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


l8 


A virtuous lassie in her youth, 

And later in her life, 

She proved to ane that lo’ed her weel 
A guid and faithfu^ wife ; 

And to her subjects ane and a’ 

A mither she has been — 

She shares our joys and shares our griefs, 
Our leal, true-hearted Queen. 

The page o^ history ye may scan. 

But canna find her peer. 

Nor ane that’s lo’ed her people wi’ 

A love that’s mair sincere ; 

And history will record her yet 
As ane o’ royal blood 
That weel has earned the title of 
** Victoria the Good/’ 


POFMS AND SONGS; 


19 


^kt llani) ‘that's? "^ritlg Jfr^e. 

Auld Scotia’s Bards in praises sing 
O’ hills and heather bells, 

O’ linns gaun loupin doon their glens 
Whaur bonnie lassies dwells ; 

And weel I loe that land mysel’, 

Wi’ a’ its ancient fame, 

For whaur’s the Scot whose heart ne’er warms 
Whene’er he thinks o’ hame ? 

But there’s anither land I trow 
That’s just as dear to me — - 
’Tis Canada, the only land 
Whose sons are truly free. 

The Saxon minstrels proudly sing 
O’ deeds their sons hae done. 

And vaunt of a’ their works of art. 

And battle fields they’ve won ; 

But can they boast a land like ours, 

Whaur peace and plenty smile. 

And labor sheds its blessings aye 
On a’ our sons o’ toil ? 

Na, na, though Englishmen are great. 

They’re no sae blest as we 
In Canada, the only land 
On earth that’s truly free. 


2Q 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Auld Erin’s Harp has aft been struck 
In wailin’ tones o’ grief, 

But here her sons are prosperin’ 
Beneath the Maple Leaf ; 

And tho’ nae dout they think at times 
On glories passed awa, 

The sun shines bricht in Canada 
Alike on ane and a’ ; 

And as they hae been in the past, 

Sae will thejr future be, 

In Canada, the only land 
Whose sons are truly free. 

Let English, Irish, Scotch and French, 
Thegither here combine. 

To emulate the deeds their sires 
Hae done in auld lang syne ; 

We’ll lay their failin’s a’ aside. 

Their virtues we’ll retain. 

And in our new Dominion they 
Will bring forth fruit again; 

And if our fathers loved their land 
As dearly, so will we 
Love Canada, the only land 
On earth that’s truly free. 

Though young yet in the warld’s affairs, 
And maybe kind o’ blate. 

We may excel our mither yet 
In a’ that’s guid and great ; 


'POEMS AND SONGSc- 


21 


When speakin’ o’ her dawtit bairn 
She’ll say o’ us wi’ pride, 

There’s no a land like Canada 
In a’ creation wide. 

Then swell the anthem loud and lang, 
And let your psens be 
To Canada, dear Canada, 

The glorious and the free. 




22 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Jl <SltiUin or 

Friendship has charms for the leal an^ the true, 

There^s but few things can beat it the hale warld thro^, 
But you’ll gey aften find that the best frien’ ava 
Is that white-headed callan’ a shillin’ or twa. 

Eh, man, it’s a fine thing, a shillin’ or twa ; 

Hech, man, it’s a gran’ thing, a shillin’ or twa. 

It keeps up your spirits, it adds to your merits. 

If ye but inherit a shillin’ or twa. 

It’s surprisin’ how much you’ll be thocht o’ by men, 
You’ll get credit for wisdom altho’ ye hae nane^ 

You may be but a dunce yet be honor’d by a’ 

AVhen they ken that ye hae a bit shillin’ or twa. 

Eh, man, it’s a fine thing, a shillin’ or twa ; 

Hech, man, it’s a gran’ thing, a shillin or twa. 

You’ll ne’er ken what it means to want plenty o’ frien’s^ 
Gin ye glamor their een wi’ a shillin’ or twa. 

But it alters the case when your siller’s a’ dune. 

Then your frien’s seem to gang a’ awa wi’ the win’. 
There’s naebody then likes to ken you ava 
When ye ask for the lend o’ a shillin’ or twa. 

Eh, man, it’s a fine thing, a shillin’ or twa ; 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


23 


Hech, man, it’s a gran’ thing, a shillin’ or twa. 

But there’s no mony then that will hand out their han’ 
And say, tak’ this, my man, there’s a shillin’ or twa. 

A tocherless lass, tho’ o’ guid pedigree. 

May ne’er hae a lover her mou’ for to pree. 

But let her get riches and sweethearts will fa’ 

Around her in dizens for her shillin’ or twa. 

Eh, man, it’s a fine thing, a shillin’ or twa ; 

Hech, man, it’s a gran’ thing, a shillin’ or twa. 

But it adds a new grace to each charm in her face 
Gin her purse in it’s place hands a shillin’ or twa. 

Politicians will tell you that the country they save,’’ 
And wi’ eloquence burning, they rant and they rave. 
But at the year’s end, when their salary they draw. 
They aye save themsel’s a bit shillin’ or twa. 

Eh, man, it’s a fine thing, a shillin’ or twa ; 

Hech, man, it’s a gran’ thing, a shillin’ or twa. - 
They whiles do their best when they’re put to the test. 
But they feather their nest wi’ a shillin’ or twa. 

Some folks fecht for siller year out and year in. 

There are ithers that cheat for’t, and ne’er think’t a sin. 
And there’s some sae devoid o’ morality’s law, 

Wud shake ban’s wi’ the de’il for a shillin’ or twa. 

Eh, man, it’s a fine thing, a shillin’ or twa ; 

Hech, man, it’s a gran’ thing, a shillin’ or twa : 

To become rich and great, and hae flunkeys to wait 
When you drive out in state, aff your shillin’ or twa. 


24 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


But we scorn the fause loon, that for vain warldly pelf, 
Wud wrang ither folk to get riches himself; 

“ Aye live and let live,” and deal justly by a', 

And may you ne'er want for a shillin' or twa. 

Eh, man, it's a fine thing, a shillin' or twa ; 

Hech, man, it's a gran' thing, a shillin' or twa. 

When you've wealth in your store, aye remember the poor. 
And blessin’s will shower on your shillin' or twa. 


POEMS AND SONOS. 


2S 


£Lttx ^tclk 0 a SHoman. 

Ne’er talk lightly o’ a woman, 

Though she whiles may gang astray, 

Till ye ken how much temptation 
Has been thrown within her way ; 

Ask yourseP could ye withstood it, 

If the cause had been the same — 

Ten to ane but you will answer 
That she isna much to blame. 

Nae doubt but there’s kittle kimmers 
That you’ll meet wi’ now and then, 

But the maist o’ them are better 
Than the common run o’ men ; 

Though we’re tauld that woman brought us 
Sorrow wi’ a vengeance ance, 

Weel ken I mankind has wrought her 
Plenty sorrow for it since. 

They wha glibly talk o’ women 
Aften are the very anes 
That have wranged them and abused them^ 
Been the cau^e o’ a’ their sins ; 

Wretches that have got nae feeling — 

For theirsel’s they live and move— = 

May they never ken the pleasures 
O’ an honest woman’s love. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Ye wha lightly talk o’ women, 

Aye keep mind there’s ane or twa 
That ye never want to hear them 
Lightly spoken o’ ava : 

Whaur’s the man but thinks his mither 
Was as guid as needs to be ? 

What’s the reason, then, that ithers 
Shouldna hae as good as he ? 

Would ye learn the worth o’ women, 
Tak’ a guid ane to yoursel’. 

Then you’ll find out a’ their virtues — 
Mair o’ them than I can tell ; 

Canada has plenty o’ them — 

Lovesome lassies trig an’ braw. 

Just as guid an’ just as bonnie 
As the wide world ever saw. 

Wale a guid ane frae amang them, 
Cherish her wi’ love an’ care. 

An’ my word for’t, that you’ll never 
Lightly speak o’ women mair. 

Do this and you’re sure to prosper — 
De’il confound the lang-tongued loon 
Wha tak’s either pride or pleasure 
Tryin’ to rin women doon. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


27 


0 to Ceebilitg. 

It’s best to ha’e ceevility, 

It always answers weel, 

The auld wife said ae mornin’, 

When she curchied to the deil ; 

But though it may be richt at times 
To gi’e Auld Nick his due, 

Ye maun tak’ care he disna get 
A mortgage upon you. 

It’s guid to ha’e a ceevil tongue, 
Whatever else you ha’e— 

It’s like a passport in your pouch 
Whaure’er you chance to gae ; 

Men greet ye when ye pass them by. 
And always wish you weel. 

And say— as soon’s your out o’ sicht — 
There gangs a decent cheiL 

It disna do to gang aroun’ 

As surly as a bear. 

And girn and growl the hale day lang. 
And fret, and fume, and swear ; 

And keep folks in hot water wi’ 

Your everlasting din — 


28 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


That's no the way to gain respect, 
Nor men's esteem to win. 

Ye maun be courteous and kind, 
And ne'er give way to strife. 

For angry words ha'e got an edge 
As keen and sharp's a knife. 
Ne'er mak' an enemy o' ane 
That ye can mak' your frien' — 
Sov/ kindness, and you may be sure 
That kindness you will glean. 


Ne'er be o'er gleg at seeing fau'ts 
In ithers, for ye ken 
Perfection hasna yet been found 
Amang the sons o' men. 

The best o' us whiles gang ajee, 

For human nature's frail, — 

Then aye as far as ere you can 
Let charity prevail. 

The ninth commandment dinna break, 
Nor dinna tell a lee — 

A man's word should be just as guid 
As what his oath should be. 

The brightest ornament that gilds 
The brow o' age or youth 
Is that clear, shinin', sparklin' gem 
That bears the name o' Truths 


POEMS and songs. 

Ne’er let your tongue to lewdness rin, 
Nor dinna be profane — 

God winna baud you guiltless 
If ye tak’ His name in vain. 

If ye these maxims lay to heart 
You’ll no gang far astray, 

At least they’ll be a help to you 
To guide you on your way, 


30 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


SHarlblg Creto. 

Awa', ye warldly crew, wha think, 

As thro^ the warld ye gang. 

That if ye^re only richt yoursel’s 
There’s naething can be wrang : 

Ye base an’ sordid, selfish loons, 

I plainly tell ye a’, 

If I could get my wull o’ you, 

I’d gi’e your necks a thraw.^ 

An’ ye wha live by vice an’ fraud, 

That disna care a preen 
How muckle misery ye may cause 
If siller ye can glean : 

Ne’er carin’ how ye wrang the puir. 
Nor how ye break the law — 

The muckle Deil wull get you yet, 

An’ gi’e your necks a thraw. 

Ye canting hypocrites wha tak’ 
Religion for a cloak. 

An’ mak’ the Kirk the means by which 
Ye cheat mair honest folk; 

Tak’ ye my word, the time wull come 
You’ll be despised by a’, 

An’ few there are that care how soon 
Your necks may get a thraw. 


POEMS AND SONGS.' 


31 


An’ you, ye loons, that in the Court 
Aft sweer that black is white. 

An’ try to mak’ the wrang appear 
Mair virtuous than the right ; 

For purposes that suit yoursel’s v 
Ye twist an’ turn the law — 

Deil nor the Sheriff may get you 
To gi’e your necks a thraw. 

An’ ye wha canna keep your ban’s 
Frae out the public chest — 

That gi’e the country a’ the chaff 
While ye retain the grist — 

Gi’e ow’re your greedy, thievin’ ways, 
An’ do what’s richt by a’. 

Or if ye dinna, feth I hope 
Your necks may get a thraw. 

Eh, sure this warld is unco fu’ 

O’ knavery an’ deceit ; 

I wonder when we’ll learn to think 
The guid alone are great ; ” 

Let’s hope the time o’ which Burns sang 
May no far distant be. 

When honest worth o’er a’ the earth 
Shall always bear the gree. 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


^he |Eorb ^htm that ^hentser 

The Lord helps them that help themsel’s, 
And richt it is he should, 

For them that winna help themsel’s 
Will ne’er do muckle good. 

The fiat has gone forth that ye 
Maun work to earn your bread, 

And they that winna try to work 
Are lazy loons indeed. 

There’s some sits doon wi’ faulded hands, 

Wi’ neither bite nor sup, 

Aye waitin’ as Micawber did 
For something to turn up.” 

They keep a’ day within the house. 

Like snails within their shell. 

And never think they’ve ony richt 
To try and help themsel’. 

I canna see how they can sit. 

And live upon the hope 
That manna will fa’ doon frae heav’n 
To fill their am’ries up. 

The days o’ miracles are past, 

As maist o’ folks can tell, 

And they that winna work maun want, 

Sae rise and help yoursel’. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


33 


I’d ne’er refuse a worthy man 
A lift gaun up life’s brae, 

But charity is thrown awa’ 

On a’ sic sumphs as they ; 

They should be taught that while they’ve health 
And strength, to use it well, 

And ne’er depend on ither folks 
While they can help themsel’. 

It’s well enough, nae doubt, at times 
To trust to Providence ; 

But they that lippen things like these 
Will show their want o’ sense. 

There’s whiles ye may be out o’ wark, 

Or hae a sickly spell. 

In sic a case the Lord helps them 
That canna help themsel’. 

The man o’ independent mind 
Will try baith day and nicht 
To help himsel’ as far’s he can 
In ony thing that’s richt ; 

Though lions roar upon his path, 

He disna mind their yell. 

But bauldly pushes them aside 
And strives to help himsel’. 

The bread you earn yoursel’ is aye 
The sweetest to your taste — 

Besides you are’na half sae apt 
To let aught gang to waste, 


34 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Then frien’s and brithers ane'and a’, 
Whaure’er ye chance to dwell, 

Keep mind o’ this, the Lord helps them 
That try to help themsel’. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


35 


Dane^t "^oxxxs^tV. 

Be honest, be honest, be trusty and true. 

Though ithers gang gleyd that is naething to you ; 
There are some ragged cowtes that will never do well ; 
Ne’er be guided by them, but be honest yoursel’. 

Be honest yoursel’, and ne’er let greed o’ gain 
Mak’ ye put oot your hand to tak’ what’s no your ain ; 
If ye do, then to ruin you’ll drive on pell-mell. 
Whene’er you gae owre being honest yoursel’. 

Riches got in this way never last very lang— 

They come wi’ the wind, wi’ the water they gang. 

And you canna expect that you’ll e’er prosper well, 
Unless you are upricht and honest yoursel’. 

Be honest, though wealth never fa’s to your share : 

It’s nae sin nor nae crime in a man to be puir ; 
Though humble and lowly the cot where you dwell, 
You’ll meet wi’ respect if you’re honest yoursel’. 

Be honest, and strive aye to do what is richt — 

Ne’er do naething by day you can’t stand by at nicht ; 
Then your sleep will be pleasant and sound as a bell, 
When you ken a’ the time that you’re honest yoursel’. 

Be honest and faithfu’, be truthfu’ and wise^ — 

The mean, petty doings o’ tricksters despise ; 

Keep your conscience as pure as a clear rinnin’ well. 
And aye aboon a* things be honest yoursel’. 




POEMS AND SONGS. 


iebt. 

There is a mischief-makin’ chiel 
That travels far and near, 

And they wha ken him best ha’e learn’d 
To hand his name in fear. 

If e’er he lays his claws on you, 

Awa’ ye canna get : 

You’ll find it sae if ere ye meet 
Wi’ that auld deevil. Debt. 

His grip’s as firm’s a blacksmith’s vice, 
And unco hard to break 

He pu’s ye doon as if he were 
A mill-stane roun’ your neck. 

He bangs ye richt and dings ye left, 

Till ye’re sae sair beset 

You dinna ken which way to turn 
To get awa’ frae Debt. 

He brings the duns unto your door, 

And whiles the bailiff, too. 

Unwelcome visitors are they 
At ony time, I trow ; 

They’re greedy loons, for a’ is fish 
That come? within their net, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


They’ll pick your banes as bare^s your loof 
Gin ye get into Debt. 

A man may own a foolish wife, 

And yet some pleasure ha’e ; 

He lives in hopes he’ll see her gang 
Feet foremost owre the brae. 

But hope deferr’d ’ll mak’ ye sick 
And gar ye foam and sweat, 

If ance ye’re in sae deep that ye 
Can ne’er get out o’ Debt. 

There’s some it disna trouble much — 
They dinna seem to care 
How much accumulates if they 
Can tak’ on ony mair ; 

They’re naethin^ but a pack o’ knaves 
That live upon their wit ; 

An honest man will always try 
To pay an honest Debt^ 

IVe liv’d within this planet now 
For thirty years and mair. 

And aften to keep out o’ debt 
I’ve struggled geyin’ sair. 

And though at ance I ne’er ha’e owned 
A hunder dollars yet, 

I dinna care sae lang as I 
Can just keep out o’ Debt. 


38 - POEMS AND SONGS. 

O Fortune, ye’re a glaikit jade, 

' V - And blind as ony bat ; 

You deal your favors roun' about, 

Ne’er kennin’ what ye’re at 
Gi’e rich folks less and puir folks mair 
Than they ha’e gotten yet, 

And then we’ll ha’e less cause to mourn 
O’er sic a thing as Debt. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


39 


^0 n the ®mh ge QLmx, 

There^s mony ups an’ doons in life, 

Within this warld o’ ours, 

Our path is very aften strewed 
Wi’ baith the thorns and flowers ; 

Let’s pick the roses frae the briers, 

Since life is but a span, 

An’ as ye gang alang the road, 

Do a’ the guid ye can. 

Misfortunes whiles ’ll grip ye fast, 

An’ snool ye gey ’in sair ; 

An’ brawly do I ken mysel’ 

They’re unco hard to bear ; 

But dinna let them fash ye much. 

You’ll find whaure’er ye gang 
There’s some that’s far waur aff than you— 
Do a’ the guid ye can. 

If fortune has been kind to you, 

Be thankfu’ for its smiles. 

An’ dinna grudge to help alang 
The man that’s dreed its wiles, 
if honest poverty you meetj - 
Haud out a helpin’ han’ ; 

You only do what’s richt when ye 
Do a’ the guid ye can» 


40 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


There’s some you’ll meet \vi’ now an’ then 
Sunk in the mire o’ sin ; 

It is your privilege to try 
An’ draw them out again ; 

Tho’ they may mak’ sair slips at times, 
Ne’er shun your fellow-man, 

Christ died for them as weel as you — 

Do a’ the guid ye can. 

If there’s a blessin’ fa’s on earth, 

’Tis that which mercy earns ; 

Then dinna e’er forget that we 
“Are a’ John Tamson's bairns.”* 

This warld would be a happy place, 

Just like a fairy Ian', 

If ilka ane would try an' aye 
Do a' the guid they can; 

’Twas said lang syne by Ane that ken’t. 
An' what He says believe, 

^Tis better far at ony time 
To gi'e than to receive. 

Then O be sure ye bear in min' 

To follow mercy’s plan. 

An' to the utmost o' your power 
Do a' the guid ye can. 


♦ An expression equivalent to saying we are all of the same family. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


41 


^ht ®heel toitkin a SBked. 

There’s aye a wheel within a wheel 
Whichever way we turn, 

And they wha ken the way it works 
Ha’e little cause to mourn. 

To find out a’ the secrets o’t 
Would tak’ a clever chiel ; 

There’s just a special few can work 
The wheel within a wheel. 

The wily politician tries 
To mak’ it understood 

He serves his country a’ his micht 
For just his country’s good; 

I notice, when he gets a chance, 

He serves himsel’ wi’ zeal — 

He kens the way to turn aroun’ 

The wheel within a wheel 

I winna say they’re a’ alike, 

But ae thing weel I ken 

Self-interest predominates 
Amang maist kinds o’ men ; 

Nae doot you’ll meet wi’ now and then 
An’ honest, worthy chiel 


42 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


VVha scorns to tak’ advantage o’ 
The wheel within a wheel. 


The man o’ business, when he strives 
To get his fortune made, 

Is ne’er content till by some means 
He corners you in trade ; 

He mak’s a ring ” wi’ twa-three frien’s 
Wha understan’ it weel, 

Then at a given signal turns 
The wheel within a wheel. 

There’s mony mair that I could name. 
And a’ their daily care 
Is how to work the oracle 
And mak’ their muckle mair ; 

It never ance comes in their heids 
To think o’ ithers’ weal — 

They sit a’ day and screw and turn 
The wheel within a wheel. 

And e’en some clergymen themsel’s 
Will prove you frae the Word — ^ 

When siller’s in the case — how they’ve 
Been called ” on by the Lord ; 

But, God forgi’e me, whiles I think 
The ‘‘ call ” comes frae the deil-^ 
He’s aye the ane that puts in gear 
The wheel within a wheel. 


POEMS AND SONGS^ 43 

Say what you like, gang whaur you will, 

God Mammon reigns supreme, 

And he’s maist thocht o’ wha can soom 
The best doon Fortune’s stream. 

Oh ! but I weary for the time 
When man to man shall feel 
As brithers should, and throw awa’ 

The wheel within a wheel ! 


44 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


I’m a (Bln^co Chappie. 

(On being asked what part of Scotland I came from. ) 

I^m a Glasco chap (I’ll ne’er deny it), 

I’ll fecht ye till I dee, 

Sae I would hae ye a’ to ken 
That ye maunna meddle me. 

I winna fecht for fechtin’s sake, 

But if I ance begin. 

I’ll Stan’ my gnm’ as lang’s I can. 

And try my best to win. 

1 like to fecht the battles o’ 

The weak against the strong, 

Although I’ll ne’er tak’ sides wi’ them 
I think are in the wrong ; 

But show me that your cause is richt, 

And say mak’ this your plea,” 

Wi’ a’ my heart an’ a’ my saul 
I’ll fecht for’t till I dee. 

This life is but a fecht at best, 

For six days out o’ seven 
We hae to warsel a’ the time 
To try an’ mak’ a lievin ; 

Some win their way to Wealth and fanie 
That don’t deserve’t ava, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


45 


While honest merit gey an^ aft 
Is chirted to the wa’. 

Though Glasco folk are fechtin’ folk, 
They’re kind an’ honest, too : 

They’ve ae wee faut — they like their maut. 
An’ sometimes they get fou ; 

But deil-ma-care, you’ll find them men 
On whom you can rely. 

Although an odd ane here an’ there 
Is not the real Mackay.” 

It’s now some three-and-twenty years 
Since last I saw the Clyde, 

But aft since then my heart has yearn’d 
To wander by its side. 

It may be that I’ll see’t nae mair. 

But come or gang what will. 

My earnest, heartfelt wish shall be — 

Let Glasgow Flourish” still. 


46 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^ JHitker 0 %xouhk&, 

Whaur ha^e ye been the lee-lang day, 

Ye little ne^er-do-weel ? 

I ha’e a min’ to skelp ye sair 
Until I gar ye squeal ; 

Ae sicht o’ you I ha’ena seen 
Sin’ breakfast time this morn ; 

I think that sic a steerin’ wean 
As you has ne’er been born. 

Whaur ha’e ye been, ye mischief, that 
Ye’ve got in sic a plight ? 

If I wud tak’ the tause to you 
It just wud ser’ ye right. 

The claes that ye got on this morn. 

That look’d sae clean an’ braw, 

Are cover’d o’er wi’ dirt an’ glaur — 

Yer jacket’s torn in twa ! 

Ye couldna help it?” Hand yer tongue 
An’ tell me nae sic lee ; 

You look just like as if ye had 
Been sclimbin’ up a tree. 

An’ there’s yer shoon, no three weeks auld, 
That’s oot at baith the taes ; 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


’Twould tak^ a fortune, I dedare, 

To keep ye gaun in daes. 

Ye’re awfu’ hungry Like enough ; 

Why did ye no come hame ? 

It shows you think mair o’ yer play 
Than ye do o’ yer wame. 

Ye want a daud o’ tattie scone ?” 

My certe ye’re no blate ; 

I wish the schule was in again, 

To keep ye aff the street. 

« 

Losh ! here is something else. What next ! 

Ye’ve riven a’ your breeks ; 

God help the woman that has weans 
That ony comfort seeks ! 

For she may fecht, an’ toil, an’ work 
Her fingers to the bane — 

Then gang to bed, an’ rise next day, 

An’ just begin again. 


Come till I tosh ye up again, 

An’ kame your touzie hair. 

That hurts ye ? ” Haud yer tongue, or feth 
I’ll maybe hurt ye mair. 

What will yer faither say, think ye, 

When he comes hame at e’en, 

An’ I ha’e tauld him a ye’ve dune. 

An’ a’ whaur ye ha’e been ? 


48 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Whaf s that ye say ? Don't tell him, an 
‘‘ Ye’ll be as guid’s ye can, 

An’ that ye’ll aye do richt by me 
** When ye grow up a man ?” 

Weel, weel, ye’ll maybe gather sense 
When ye’re a wee thocht bigger. 

Noo, rin to Peter Patterson’s, 

An’ bring twa pund o’ sugar. 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


49 


Jl (Ehmie ingU-siie, 

Gi’e Fame and Fortune unto them 
Wha glory in their name ; 

I sing a joy aboon them baith 
That can be found at hame : 

A joy in which an honest man 
Can tak’ an honest pride — 

A loving wife, and loving weans, 

And cheerie ingle-side. 

Ambition’s charms may lure ye on,. 

And please ye for a while. 

But a’ that glitters isna gowd — 

They’re aften fu’ o’ guile ; 

Throw them awa’ if ye prefer 
Thro’ life to smoothly glide — 

You’ll find mair heart-felt pleasure in 
A cheerie ingle-side. 

Wealth winna bring you peace o’ mind, 
Nor ease a heart that’s sair, 

And Fame is but an empty sound 
That melts awa’ in air ; 

But whaur the sacred lowe o’ love 
Burns bricht at even-tide, 

It casts a gleam o’ joy and mak’s 
A cheerie ingle-side. 


5 ^ 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


It’s no the tinsel’d works o* art 
That hang around your wa’, 

Nor Brussels spread upon your floor, 
Bring happiness ava ; 

You may ha’e gear o' every kind 
That siller can provide, 

And ne'er ken what it means to ha'e 
A cheerie ingle-side. 

A' ye that's got a cantie wife. 

And cosie but " and ben," 

Wi’ twa-three totums " rinning round, 
As weel as me, ye ken, — 

It's loving looks and winning smiles. 
And tongues that winna chide, 

That bring content and mak' the bliss 
Around the ingle-side. 

Then whether ye’re in quest q' wealth, 
Or gang in search o’ fame. 

Ne'er let them cause ye to neglect 
The pleasures o' your hame ; 

For, tak' my word, ye winna find, 

Tho' ye gang far and wide, 

A joy mair blest than can be found 
Around the ingle-side. 

O Fortune ! I ha'e ne'er, as yet, 

Cam' begging to your door, 

Nor do I ken what ye for me 
May ha'e laid up in store ; 


POEMS AND SONGS. ^ 51 

But now I^m gaun to ask that you 
Extend your favors wide — 

Gi^e ilka honest man and wife 
A cheerie ingle-side. 




POEMS AND SONGS. 


QLxttpt 011 th^ g00r. 

There's a little white cottage that stan's 'mang the trees, 
Whaur the humming-bird comes to sip sweets wi’ the bees, 
Whaur the bright morning-glories grow up o'er the eaves, 
And the wee birdies nestle amang the green leaves. 

But there's something around it to-day that seems sad — ^ 

It hasna that look o' contentment it had ; 

There is gloom whaur there used to be sunshine before ; 

Its windows are darkened — there's crape on the door. 

There is crape on the door — all is silent within ; 

There are nae merry children there makin' a din ; 

For the ane that was merriest aye o' them a' 

Is laid out in robes that look white as the sna'. 

But yesterday morn, when the sun shone sae bright, 

Nae step bounded freer — nae heart was mair light ; 

When the gloamin’ cam' round, a' his playing was o'er — 

He was drowned in the burn — sae there's crape on the door. 

Nae mair will he skip like a lamb o'er the lea, 

Or pu' the wild flowers, or gang chasin' the bee ; 

He'll be miss'd by the bairns when they come hame frae schulc. 
For he met them ilk day coming doon o'er the hill. 

Beside his wee coffin his lone mother kneels. 

And she breathes forth a prayer for the sorrow she feels ; 
Her puir widowed heart has been seared to the core, 

For not lang sinsyne there was c^’ape on the door. 


poeMs and solves. 53 

Her sobs choke her utterance, though she strives, but in vain, 
To stifle her grief, or her tears to restrain ; 

Yet she lovingly murmurs, I winna repine ; 

Thy will be done. Father ; Thy will and not mine ; 

Though my trials are great, yet I winna complain, 

For I ken that the Lord has but ta’en back his ain, 

To dwell wf the angels above evermore, 

Whaur there's nae sin nor sorrow, nor crape on the door." 


54 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^0 QZ ^0^, 00 0haU ge Ileap. 

This lifers made up o' guid and bad, 

But mony are the ills 
Which by our want of wisdom that 
We bring upon oursel's ; 

We aft lose sight of what we should 
Within our memory keep — 

That is, whatever we may sow 
That also shall we reap. 

Ye that are in your Spring, tak care 
What seeds you cast abroad. 

That when your Autumn time comes roun' 
Your harvest may be good ; 

And aye tak' heed nae fulsome weeds 
Amang your seedlings creep. 

For whatsoever ye may sow 
That also shall ye reap. 

See that ye dinna sow the seeds 
O' discord and o' strife, 

But plant “ good will to men," that ye 
May comfort ha'e through life. 

The ane will bring ye peace and joy. 

The ither gar ye weep. 

For surely if ye sow the wind, 

The whirlwind ye maun reap. 


Poems and songs. 


5S 


Ye caniia cheat the Lord wi’ what 
Ye in the ground may fling — 

Figs winna grow on thistles, nor 
Will grapes frae brambles spring ; 

For ilka seed is watched by Him, 

He never is asleep. 

And rest assur’d whate’er ye sow 
That also shall ye reap. 

It may seem up-hill work at first, 

But dinna think it hard. 

For virtue at the last is sure 
To bring its ain reward ; 

Then pick the seed that’s fresh and pure. 
And plough your furrows deep. 

And bear in mind whate’er ye sow 
That also shall ye reap. 


56 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


Win 

Our wee Tot took sick, an' she wasted awa, 

An' we couldna tell what had come o'er her ava ; 

Her bonnie blue e'e that aye sparkled sae clear 
Grew dim, an' her mither's was wat wi' a tear, 

As she sat thro' the lang nicht an' watched by her cot, 

An' my ain wasna dry when I look'd on wee Tot. 

Wee Tot was the life o' our cheerie fire-en’ 

As she toddled about thro’ our “ but" an' our ben 
She was playfu' an' pawkie, auldfarrant an' slee. 

An' the joy an' the pride o' her mither an' me ; 

An' we felt mair contented an' pleased wi' our lot 
Frae the time heaven sent us our bonnie wee Tot 

When the bloom left her cheek we were waefu' an' sad, — 
To bring't back we would gi'en a' the siller we had. 

I miss'd her saft kiss when I cam' hame at e'en. 

Tired an' weary sometimes, when my days' wark was dune ; 
An' my wee drap o' tea, aye, seemed cauld tho' 'twere hot, — ^ 
An' tasteless, an' fusionless, wantin' wee Tot. 

The doctor was sent for an' quickly he cam’ — 

(The half o' thae doctors are nought but a sham)— 

He hum'd an' he haw’d, just as much as to say 
‘‘ There's no muckle left for ye now but to pray ; 

1 doot that ye'll hae to put up wi' yer lot. 

An' mak' up your min's for to part wi' wee Totj” 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


57 


Her grannie cam* in frae the country next day ; 

(She'd been in lang before — but she lived far away,) 

She brought twa-three simples" row'd up in her pouch, 
That acted like magic amaist at her touch. 

E'er twa days had passed by, wi' the care that she got. 
We could see quite a change in our bonnie wee Tot. 

This raised up our hopes, an' we still did our best, 

An' trusted to God He would do a' the rest ; 

An' He (in his mercy), relieved a' our cares, — 

He was gracious an' kind, for He answered our prayers ; 
An', wi' auld grannie's help, our sweet winsome wee wean 
Is as hale now an' hearty as ever again. 

My blessin' on women folk o'er a’ the earth ; 

In the time o' our need we find out what they're worth ; 
Then the form o’ a min'st’ring angel they take. 

I’ll aye loe the auld anes for auld grannie’s sake — 

For the young anes, I wish joy may fa’ to their lot. 

An’ a couthie gudeman an’ a bloomin’ wee Tot. 


53 


POEMS AND SONGS* 


“ Wee, curly-headed, tottin' thing, 

That's aye sae tosh an' neat an' clean, 

Sae fu' o' mischief an' o' fun — 

Joy's dancin' in your very een. 

To sit an' watch thy pawkie tricks 
Aft fills my ain heart fu' o' joy. 

An' gars me think o' days gane by. 

When mirth was free frae care's alloy. 

Frae morn to e’en ye're rinnin' roun' 

As brisk an' happy as a bee ; 

Unless whiles when ye crack your croon, 
There’s ne'er a tear-drap dims your 'ee. 
Ye're licht o' foot, an’ licht o' heart — 

Aye in a merry, happy vein ; 

Fun seems to to be your chief employ, 

Hech ! sirs, but ye're an unco wean. 

‘‘ Be still, you wee, mischievous rogue ; 

What’s that ye're knockin’ on the wa’.^ 
Deil’s in the callan ! sure as death 
He's broke my cutty pipe in twa. 

Ay, ye may rin. Tak' care, tak’ care : 

See what ye’ve dune — ye've tumble’t o'er 
The three-legged stool. That's twice the day 
Ye've skailt my snuff upon the floor." 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


59 


‘‘Ye’re sorry noo?” “Sae should you be ; 
Come here an' sit upon my knee : 

I wonner whiles ye ar’na tired — 

Sit doon an' tak' a rest awee. 

Let go my specs — ye'll break them too — 

An’ keep your ban's out o' my hair ; 

Your nails, I fin’, are gey in' sharp. 

When they gang in a part that's bare. 

“ Sit doon, an' be at peace awhile, 

I want to read a verse or twa. 

Na heth, ye canna be at rest 
There is nae stoppin' ye ava. 

There's naethin’ sacred unto you 
That ye can lay your ban's upon. 

Ye search the Scriptures, that’s a fact — 

If I read Matthew ye want John. 

“ Lay doon the book ! weel, wed, what next?’^ 
“ Please, Gran 'pa, to tak' aff my shoon," 

“ Wha’ tied them up in sic a knot ? " 

“Ye dinna ken how it was dune ? ” 

“It's like a Gordian knot to me, 

I canna get it loused ava ; 

Ye’ll hae to gang an' bring the shears, 

Until I cut the lace in twa. 

“ There, that's a' richt.” Sing ‘ hush-a-bye,' 

“ O, Gran 'pa ! I forgot my prayers. 

This night I lay me down to sleep - 
(That's pussy cornin’ doon the stairs*) 


6o 


POEMS AND songs* 


Wheesht ! shut your een ” — “ My soul to keep 
If I should die before I wake ” — 

(I never kissed my pa or ma) — 

“Take me to heaven for Jesus' sake." 

“ There, that'll do. Noo rin awa' 

An' kiss them, an' come back again. 

An' gang to sleep upon my knee." 

“Ye did it ? " “ That's a clever wean ! 

Come, cuddle in my bosie, noo ; 

Your troubles for the day are past ; 

Puir, silly thing, ye're unco tired. 

An' lyin' soun' asleep at last ! 

“ I look into your face an' see 
The image o* ane deid an’ gane ; 

I was as proud o' him as thee. 

When first he toddled a' his lane ; 

But years hae passed since I hae smoothed 
The curls that graced his bonnie broo, 

An' she, wha would hae lo'ed ye baith, 

Is up in heaven wi' him noo. 

“ I wonner whiles, my bonnie bairn, 

If ye’ll to guid or ill incline. 

Or how much sorrow ye may dree 
Ere your hair is as white as mine. 

I ken I’m turning auld an' frail — ^ 

My days are drawin' to an en’ ; 

I've seen the allotted time o' man— 

My years are noo threescore an' ten* 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


I haena much to leave you, bairn, 

But yeVe nae heritage o' shame ; 
Altho' I say it o' mysel', 

I've borne aye an honest name. 

May virtue guide your steps ! and, oh ! 

May Heaven its blessin's on you shed 
Till ye have seen your bairns’ bairns. 
(Here, Leezie, lay the wean in bed.)” 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


%ht (Sanbg Jttarkag. 

Preachin^ and practice are twa different things, 

And they're aften placed widely apart ; 

I canna help noticing whiles that what springs 
Frae the tongue has nae root in the heart. 

It’s easy enough aye to gie guid advice, 

Maist o’ folks can do that when they try : 

But faith without wark 
Shows ye’re still in the dark. 

For it’s no’ the real Sandy Mackay. ^ 

The Deil tak’ a’ them that gang slinkin’ aroun’ 

Wi’ a sweet pleasant smile on their face, 

Aye tryin’ at a’ times to rin ithers doon. 

While they keep themsel’s oot o’ disgrace ; 

That man is a rogue and a knave in his heart 
That slanders his freen’s on the sly. 

Never speak to him mair, 

He’s not worthy your care. 

For he’s no’ the real Sandy Mackay. 

A grocer may put a few pounds in his pouch 
By gi’ein’ licht wecht now and then ; 

He may ne’er be found oot till he maks himself rich 
But it’s no’ dealing justly by men. 


* An expression used in some parts of Scotland, equal to saying * ** 4 is nqt 

real thing.” 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


63 


If there’s ony in toon (and it may be there’s some) 
To whom these last lines would apply, 

Let them alter their ways 
A’ the rest o’ their days, 

For it’s no’ the real Sandy Mackay. 

A merchant that maks his ten thousan’ a year, 

And yet thinks that he canna pay 

The men that work for him, perhaps ony mair 
Than just four or five shillin’s a day. 

If he lives a’ the time on the fat o’ the land, 

While they gang baith hungry and dry, 

You may say what you will, 

But, I stick to it still. 

He’s no’ the real Sandy Mackay. 

No, Sandy Mackay is a douce decent man. 

And there’s naethin’ about him that’s mean ; 

He’s kind and warm-hearted and hands oot his han’ 
When he sees you’re in want o’ a freen’. 

If you meet wi’ a man that is honest and fair, 

Ane that does as he would be done by. 

Wear him next to your heart, 

Wi’ his love never part, 

For he’s the real Sandy Mackay. 


64 


POEMS and songs. 


^ke ^eam the ^irk the Jarther frerm ®taee. 

There’s a saying that’s nearly as auld as the hills, 

But it Stan’s just as true to this day, 

And that is the nearer you live to the kirk 
The farther frae grace you’re away. 

You’ll often see them that’s been raised ’neath its wings 
Turning oot what we ca’ a hard case ; 

Tho’ their heids may be crammed wi’ the learning o’ books 
Yet their hearts are devoid of a’ grace. 

There’s plenty that try aye to mak’ you believe 
That they’re leading the life o’ a saint. 

When they’re naething but wolves blaain’ oot like a sheep. 
And they never wax weary or faint. 

Tho’ they gang to the kirk ilka day in the year, 

Y et that disna alter the case ; 

You may sit on the tap of the steeple and sing. 

And still be a lang way frae grace. 

Sic people may preach until doomsday comes roun’, 

But gin they dinna practice as weel, 

It shows that they dinna believe what they say. 

And they’re gaun just as straught to the deel. 

Its of nae use ava to gang whining aroun’ 

Wi’ a lang sanctimonious face ; 

You may baith preach and pray every hour in the day 
And yet be a lang way frae grac^. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


6s 


And gin ye should speer how to draw nearer grace, 

I will tell ye a plain simple way : 

Do justly, walk humbly, show mercy to a', 

Tho' they whiles gang a wee thocht” astray. 

It is human to err, but ^tis God-like, ye ken, 

To forgie ; then let such be your case : 

When you worship the Lord wi’ your deeds, not your words, 
Then you're drawing mair near to His grace. 


66 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


spittle. 

{To D, Manmell^ York Mills ^ State oj New York.) 
Dear Sir : 

Wark for the nicht IVe laid aside, 

An’ my Pegasus got astride ; 

It’s noo sae lang since last I rode him, 

The Deil himsel could scarcely haud him ; 

He jumps about frae left to right — 

You’d think the beast had gane clean gyte ; 

In sober pace I fain would trot him. 

But for my saul I canna get him 
To jog alang, or even canter, 

But aff he gangs like Tam O’Shanter’s 
Auld Mare Meg, when she was rinnin’ 

An’ Cutty Sark behind her grinnin’. 

An’ Tam, puir chiel, was sittin’ sweatin’ 

Wi’ dread o'* that black imp d Satan. 

My warst wish on the wrinkled hag, 

For pu’in the tail frae sic a nag ; 

For e’en though Maggie had had mair o’t, 
’Twas worth a guinea every hair o’t ; 

But na doot Cutty Sark had use for’t. 

Or she would ne’er run sic a race for’t— ^ 
Perhaps she wanted Maggie’s tail 
To mak’ a soap brush for the Deil, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


67 


Or kept it for to fan herser, 

(If sic a thing is used in h-— 1) 

Whilk's no unlikely, for I hear, 

If s unco het at times down there. 

But noo Pegasus' pace is mended, 

His harum scarum race is ended ; 

And while he gently trots alang, 
ril e’en begin and sing my sang. 

I’ve heard, Sir, that ye hae been lying’, 
Nae, mair, that ye’ve been nearly dyin’, 

An’ that grim carlin ca’d auld Nickie 
Was thinkin’, nae doot, very quick he 
Would hae ye safe within his clutches, 

To whistle jigs to ghaists an’ witches ; 

But by my troth, my brimstone freen’ 

He’s thrawn the glamour o’er your e’en, 

For Man well’s up an’ hale an’ we'el. 

An’ fears nae neither man nor deil ; 

At ony rate, ye ill-faur’d crew. 

Dee when he likes he’s no for you. 

^We powers that mak’ mankind your care,” 
Wi’ Manwell a’ your blessings share ; 

Tak’ tent o^ him, for he’s a man 
That’s been formed after Nature’s plan 
An’ chiels like him are seldom seen. 

At least they’re few and far between ; 

Lang let him live, an’ when he dees 
Up ’mang yoursel’s gie him a heese ; 


68 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


For them doon-by he canna bide them, 

An' dis'na want to be beside them. 

Nae mair do I your humble servan’, 

Though o' your favors less deservin’, 

But if ye've room an’ ye can spare it, 

Wi’ Davie I would like to share it ; 

For fain am I to be beside him. 

Through weal or woe whate’er betide him. 

Next on the list noo comes your wife, 

The joy and comfort of your life ; 

An’, Manwell, dinna think I flatter. 

Ye may be guid but she is better ; 

She's nane o' them. Sir, that gangs roun’ 

Baith day and nicht frae toon to toon, 
Displapng a' their whigmaleeries, 

To gar men's heads spin roun’ like peeries 
An’ shawin’ aff their eloquence. 

An’ a' they hae but common sense ; 

Raisin' conventions, makin' speeches, 

Claiming their richt to wear the breeches — 
Their richts be hanged ! 'twould serve them weel 
To shake them a’ within a creel ; 

Or may be what would suit them better, 

To dook them in a pail o’ water. 

An’ set the bairns to jeer and daff them. 

Till ance't they got the clockin aff them. 

O would they tak' yours for a samplcj 
She’d set them a’ a guid example j 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


69 


Instead o’ gaun roun’ makin’ speeches, 
Dressed up in bloomer hats and breeches, 
Dining wi’ editors an’ pastors, 

Crammin’ their wames wi’ clams an’ oysters, 
She’d teach them how to mend a sark, 

An’ ither kinds o’ household wark ; 

Whilk’s mair becomin’ o’ their station, 

Than makin’ laws to rule a nation. 

But if they want to try their han’ 

At makin’ laws, I’m no the man 
To say them nay; Indeed I’d rather 
They’d send the hale pack aff thegither, 

An’ at their head put Lucy Stone, 

That bold, undaunted Amazon ; 

Unto Newfoundland tak’ the road. 

To settle this question ’bout the cod ; 

Or aff across the Atlantic main, 

To try an’ pick a King for Spain — 

It may be that wi’ a’ their clatters 
They’d beat the men at sic like matters. 

But, Sir, I’ll hae to quat my sang. 

For fear I may say aught that’s wrang ; 
Meanwhile, I wish you hale and weel — 
Lang may you live, my. canty chiel ; 

May peace an* comfort still be yours. 
Content be aye within your doors — 

May poverty ne’er learn the road, 

That tak’s him doon to your abode ; 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


An^ after mony years hae past, 

An^ ye are ta’en awa at last, 

An^ lyin’ number’d wi’ the deid, 

We’ll raise a stane aboon your heid, 
Whaur ilka ane may proudly scan — 
Here lies a worthy, honest man.” 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


71 


^0 0Em. Jlturrag, €0q., ^amUt0n. 

AUTHOR OF A POEM ENTITLED THE “SCOTTISH PLAID.’’ 

Dear Sir, IVe read your plaidie thro', 

And think a guid deal o' it, too. 

It is the best I've seen frae you 
This year or main 

If credit's gi'en whaur credit’s due, 

Ye'll get your share. 

Ye ken I'm no inclined to flatter; 

I'd rather live on bread and water, 

Than wi' fause praise a man bespatter 
To gain a fee. 

Or try to mak' my tongue to utter 
A fulsome lee. 

Sae ye'll believe me when I say 

I like your hamely cantie lay. 

It minds me o' a bygane day, 

When I took pride 

To wander out at gloamin' gray, 

Wrapp'd in my plaid. 

But Scottish bards will never lose 

Their love for plaids or Athol brose ; 

I’d take the rascal by the nose 

That would deride 


72 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


WhateVe such bards as you compose 
Aboot the plaid. 

Ye’ve read, when Burns was young and crouse, 
That Mrs. Scott, o’ Wauchope Hoose, 
Presented him, for his ain use, 

A gaucy plaid : 

Wi’t on him, aft he woo’d the Muse 
By Lugar’s side. 

O, Burns ! thou bard aboon a’ ithers, 

That wanted mankind to be brithers, 

A’ ae man’s bairns, tho’ different mithers ; 

Lang will ye shine. 

The rhymes we mak’ are only blethers 
Compared wi’ thine. 

There’s mony mair that I could name, 

That claimed auld Scotia for their hame— 
Men wha had trod the path of fame 
Before they died — 

Wha thocht it honor, not a shame, 

To wear a plaid. 

Bear witness, Campbell, Motherwell, 

And thou, sweet-songster Tannahill ; 

Scott, Hogg and Ramsay, and Macneil, 

Men truly great. 

Nae bards that climb’d Parnassus’ hill. 

Ere sang mair sweet. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


73 


But we can ne^er expect to shine 
In sic a worthy, honor’d line 
O’ bards like these ; but never min’, 
We’ll do our best, 

And court the favors o’ the Nine 
Amang the rest. 

But, sir, ye’lL think I’m daft, I fear. 
Lang may you hae a plaid to wear, 
And may you aye, frae year to year, 
Add to your fame, 
Until a’ worthy folk revere 

‘‘ My Murray’s ” name. 








74 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^0 ^iiant §xo\})\x, ^amiltau, on hxo ^etitru 

from <Srotkni). 

Respected Sir — 

IVe heard you’ve been 
Across the saiit sea faem, 

To spend the summer months ’mang scenes 
And freens you lo’ed at hajne. 

Fm glad you hae got back again, 

And welcom’d will you be 
By a’ your freen’s in Canada — ■ 

And nane mair sae than me. 

Stan’s Scotland whaur she did, my freen’. 

Or is her glory fled ? 

Does auld Ben Nevis, ’mang the clouds. 

Still raise his rev’rent head ? 

Does a’ her tow’ring heath-clad hills 
Still Stan’ erect and free — 

Her cascades, streams, and mountain rills 
Still rin to join the sea? . 

Stan’s Scotland whaur she did, my freen’ ? 

Come tell me, gin you ken, 

If aye the same auld spirit reigns 
On mountain, moor and glen ? 

Does ‘‘ Scots wha hae wi’ Wallace bled 
Still cheer her on her road ; 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Has she still men wha daur to tread 
The path which Knox has trod ? 

Stan’s Scotland whaur she did, my freen’, 

As in the days lang syne, 

When her brave sons — proud, fearless ones — 
Hae shed their bluid like wine ? 

Does she still battle for the richt,’’ 

Opposing a' that’s wrang ? 

Does “ Corra Linn,”* wi’ merry din 
Aye sing the same auld sang ? 

Stan’s Scotland whaur she did, my freen’ ? 

Oh ! how I’d like to see 
The place whaur “ Castle Dangerous,”! stands 
It’s unco dear to me. 

Oh ! for ae balmy day in June, 

When nature’s in its pride. 

Just ae lang summer afternoon 
To wander by the Clyde* 

Td like to see the ‘‘ Brigs o’ Ayr,’^ 

And that auld haunted Kirk 
Whaur Tam O’Shanter stood and glowr’d 
At witches thro’ the mirk ; 

I’d like to see the ‘‘ thackit cot,” 

To which the whole world turns. 

And kneel beside that sacred spot 
Whaur lies our Minstrel Burns. 


* The Falls of Clyde. 

\ The Castle of the Douglass’. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


I’d like to Stan’ on “ Ettrick’s Banks, 

Or whaur the “ Yarrow ” flows; 

Or on the field of Bannockburn 
Whaur Scotland drubb’d her foes ; 
And I could spend a day or twa, 

Or may be even three, 

Whaur Claverhouse, that daring Dell, 
Gaed riding thro’ Dundee. 

I’d like to speel Ben' Lomond’s side, 
Whaur bold Macgregors dwell, 

Or spend a canny hour within 
Dumbarton’s bonnie dell. 

Auld Stirling’s towers, Dunedin’s bowers 
I’d like to see them a’. 

And hear the surges as they roar 
And sweep o’er Berwick-Law. 

It’s five-and-twenty year since I 
Auld Scotia’s hills hae trod; 

I sometimes doubt I ne’er will see 
The daisy deck her sod ; 

But if Dame Fortune kind should prove 
And health be spared to me, 

I’ll hear her linties sing again 
Ance mair before I dee. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


77 


#lr. ^paul (Sitiari, Wiooi JEarfe^t. 

My worthy, kind, obliging friend, 

I wish that you would try and send 
Me down anither load o’ wood. 

And o’ be sure you send it good ; 

But if you dinna. Lord forgie ye, 

For I will show nae mercy to ye. 

In times like these, when siller’s scarce, 
And credit’s just as bad, or worse, 

A man requires to think sometimes 
Before he parts wi’ a’ his dimes , 

For deil tak’ me if ever I 
Can get a dollar to lay by. 

Or else I’d mak’ ye send me doon 
Enough to last the hale year roun’. 

But just at present I maun say 
One cord will be enough to-day ; 

Some ither time, when siller’s plenty. 

I’ll maybe mak’ you send me twenty. 

I had amaist forgot to say 
I dinna want it right away ; 

I hae as much as put me thro’ 

At least anither week or two ; 

But if you see a chance that’s fair. 

And you hae got the time to spare. 


78 POEMS AND SONGS. 

Then send it doon without delay, 

I'm ready for it ony day ; 

Be sure you send me number one, 

And get it just as cheap's you can. 

And now good-bye, my friend and brither. 
When next we meet wi' ane anither. 
We'll maybe hae a drap thegither. 
Meantime I am with love most fervent. 
Your most obliged and humble servant. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


79 


JEj) JEith^r 0 

My mither ! God bless her ! (she's deid noo and gane), 
Was counted baith worthy and wise ; 

When fechting the battle o' life at her side, 

She aften gied me her advice ; 

And, amang ither things, she would say to me whiles, 
Noo, laddie, keep mind o’ this well. 

Be sure o’ the pennies you aye tak’ good care. 

And the pounds ’ll tak’ care o’ themsel’. 

Sma’ beginnings at first mak' big endings at last. 

If you use ony gumption or care. 

And you’ll like it gey weel when a rainy day ” comes. 
If you’ve twa-three bawbees you can to spare. 

It’s a puir way to live — frae your hand to your mouth, — 
You will find that it ne’er answers well, 

Sae be sure o’ the pennies you aye tak’ good care. 

And the pounds ’ll tak’ care o’ themsel'. 

It’s best to be carefu’ and thrifty and wise. 

And live aye inside o’ your means ; 

The shorter you keep your accounts by the heid 
You’ll be thocht the mair o’ by your frien’s ; 

Gin you get in their debt then it winna be lang 
Ere they screed aff your fauts by the ell, 

Sae be sure o’ the pennies you aye tak’ guid care, 

And the pounds ’ll tak' care o' themsel’. 


8o 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Ne*erbe greedy, nor graspin', nor e'er do what’s wrang 
To get siller to put in your pouch ; 

I don’t want you to think that the chief end o’ man 
Is merely to lee and get rich ; 

But be steady, industrious, and work hard and save, 

Sae that comfort may be whaur you dwell. 

And be sure o’ the pennies you aye tak’ guid care, 

And the pounds ’ll tak’ care o’ themsel’. 

Be sure and be honest, and strive aye to be 
Independent as far as you can ; 

Try and mak’ your ain way through the world, and then 
You can baud up your heid like a man. 

But ne’er turn your back on a worthy auld frien’. 

Though he may need your help for a spell — ^ 

Its better if you can gie ithers your help. 

Than be needing that help for yoursel’. 

I’ve kept mind o’ her words, but truth mak’s me say 
That I ne’er could accumulate gear. 

Let me do as I would I was aye just as puir 
At the end o’ ilk following year ; ' 

It may be that I’ve been a guid deal to blame, 

For not looking after it well. 

But the pennies were aye geyin’ scarce, and somehow 
The pounds kept awa’ by themsel’. 

But I’d say to a’ them that are starting in life, 

(Though it ne’er has done me muckle guid). 

To tak’ care o’ the bawbees that pass through your hands. 
For you never ken what you may need ; 


POEMS AND SONGS. 

The best us meet with mishanters at times, 
Which the wisest folk canna foretel, 

Then be sure o' the pennies you aye tak’ guid care, 
And the pounds 'll tak' care o’ themsel'. 


82 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


JftirkU ani ^xith Wioo, 

There’s mickle cry and there’s little woo, 
The auld wife said when she clipp’d her sow, 
And it’s just the same the hale world through, 
There’s aye mair cry than what there’s woo. 

It’s true, although it strange may seem. 

That “bunkum” always reigns supreme ; 

O’ specimens I’ll gie a few. 

Wherein there’s aye mair cry than woo. 

The politician waxes warm, 

When he rides his hobby o’ reform, 

And he tells you a’ that he’s gaun to do. 

But there’s mickle cry and there’s little woo. 

Revivalists strange pliskies play. 

To catch the sheep that’s gaun astray ; 

They may do guid unto a few. 

But there’s aye mair cry than there^is woo. 

Philanthropists hae aye some scheme 
The world and mankind to redeem ; 

But gin you sift their actions thro’, 

There’s aften far mair cry than woo. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


83 


Our missionaries preach and pray, 

And tell us always that they hae 
‘‘Great expectations” frae Ya-hoo, 

But still there's aye mair cry than woo. 

Their schemes are guid enough nae doot, 
If they were fairly carried oot, 

But when you look at what they do, 
You'll find there's aye mair cry than woo. 

Our statesmen always promise fair 
O' “guid times coming” every year ; 
Their promises they aye fa' thro'. 

There’s mickle cry and there's little woo. 

Our Gladstanes, Brights and Disraelis, 
Nae doot but what they're clever fellows ; 
They may mean weel in a' they do, 

/ But still there's aye mair cry than woo. 

The Press pretends to lead the way 
On a' the questions of the day 
That has the “public weal” in view, 

But feth there's aye mair cry than woo. 

And sae it is the wide world o'er, 

Men fecht and talk and mak' a splore, 
And ane anither's lugs they pu', 

And mak' great cry 'bout little woo^ 


84 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


I ha’ena mickle sense mysel', 

But yet I ken, and ken fu' well, 

The auld wife^s sayin^ still bauds true, 
There’s aye mair cry than what there's woo. 

If ilka ane would tak’ in han' 

To do whatever guid they can, 

And honest be in a’ they do, 

We’d ha’e less cry and far mair woo. 

O Canada, I wish you weel — 

To you my heart is true and leal ; 

May a’ your sons and daughters too 
Ha’e little cry and mickle woo. 


POEMS AND SONGS, 




^Iting0 a0 ^heg (Stomz, 

Contentment is a happy thing, 

And they wha hae't are blest ; 

It male’s nae odds how things may gang, 
Their minds are aye at rest, — 

Be ’t guid or bad it’s a^ the same. 

They never fash their thoom. 

But jouk their heads and let it pass, 

And tak things as they come. 

Sufficient for ilk day is aye 
The ill it brings alang ; 

Then dinna ye mak’ o’ your griefs 
A never-ending sang. 

Draw in your stool beside the fire, 

Let care gae up the lum, 

Sit doon and smoke your pipe in peace, 
And tak’ things as they come. 

Ye maunna think that you’ll get leave 
To lie in Fortune’s lap, 

An’ bask forever in her smiles 
An’ ne’er meet wi’ mishap. 

The willfu’ jade is fu’ o’ tricks, 

An’ while’s she’ll play you some 
That’s hard to bear, sae ye maun learn 
To tak’ things as they come. 


86 


POEMS AND SONGS. 

I dinna want ye to sit doon 
An’ feed yoursel’s on hope, 

Nor idly waste awa’ your time, 

But gi’e your talents scope — 

Put oot your han’ an’ help yours el’, 
Don’t Stan’ as ye were num’, 

Fii^t do what’s richt, then be content, 
An’ tak’ things as they come. 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


37 


^inna 

Keep up your heart, keep up your heart, 
An’ dinna be downcast, 

Tho’ ablins ye hae care’s enow’ — 

They winna always last ; 

An’ dinna ye gi’e way to grief. 

Whatever may betide, — 

Tho’ dark’s the nicht the mornin’s licht. 
There’s aye a sunny side. 

The loss o’ wife, the loss o’ weans, 

The loss o’ gowd an’ gear, 

An’ ither things that ye may dree. 

May try ye gey severe ; 

Afflictions are the means by which 
Our faith is purified ; 

Tho’ dark an’ dowie whiles they seem, 
There’s aye a sunny side. 

Curse God and die. Job’s tempters said, 
When he was sail* oppress’t. 

An’ mickle grief had he to bear 
Ere they could shake his trust j 
He kenn’d fii’ weel the end would come 
On which he had relied. 

While peerin’ thro’ the murky gloom^ 

He saw the sunny side. 


ss 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


There is a Providence aboon 
That watches o’er us a’, 

That winna let imto the grun’ 

A wee bit sparrow fa’ 

Without He kens ; an’ disna’ He 
For a! our wants provide ? 

An’ tho’ His face is hid at times, 
There’s aye a sunny side. 

Then leave your troubles a’ to Him 
An’ set your min’s at rest, 
Believin’ aye that a’ that’s sent 
Will turn out for the best ; 

Let virtue be your guidin’ star 
As doon life’s stream ye glide, 
An’ dinna doubt but at the end 
Ye^ll find the sunny side. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


39 


The tears come pappin’ o’er my cheeks, 
Sometimes when I’m alane, 

Whene’er I think on our bonnie bairn, 
That awa’ frae us was ta’en. 

She’s lying now in the cauld kirkyard, 

Wi’ the grass aboon her heid ; 

And mony a waefu’ thocht I’ve had 
Since our wee bairnie dee’d. 

She was na lang in this warld with us-— 
But twenty months and twa. 

When an angel band frae the spirit land 
Cam’ doon to tak’ her awa’ ; 

And I tried wi’ a’ the strength I had. 

To say, ** Thy will be done 
But I thocht my heart would break in twa 
When they laid her in the grun’. 

I stood at the heid o’ her wee bit grave, 
And her mither was by my side. 

And her breist was heavin’ up and doon 
Wi’ grief that she couldna hide ; 

And aye, as she lean’d her arm on mine, 

I could feel her tremblin’ sair. 


90 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


And her wailin’ sabs sank mair deep in my heart 
Than e’en the minister’s prayer. 

I’ve aften thocht that the saddest sound 
That ony ane can hear, 

Is heard when standin’ by a grave, 

Wi’ a’ the mourners near, 

And the coffin is lower’d to its resting place 
And frae your sicht is hid — 

That waefu’ sound which the dull earth mak’s 
When it fa’s on the coffin lid. 


But it never seem’d sae sad to me 
As it did upon that day. 

When our wee pet lamb that we lo’ed sae weel 
Was laid underneath the clay ; 

And her mither shuddered afresh at the sound, 
And her grief burst forth anew. 

And she cried, that’s the last o’ our bonnie bairn 
We’ve nae wee Jeanie noo. 


The last, did I say, no not the last. 

For a hope to us is given, 

Though we see our bairn nae mair on earth, 
That we’ll meet her again in Heaven ; 
And, husband, winna we baith be glad 
To meet wi’ her again ?” 

I couldna answer her just then, 

Byt I thocht I wud be fain, 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


I ken it's wrang to mourn for them 
That the Lord has ta'en awa' 

But we’re unco weak and unco frail, 
When misfortunes on us fa’. 

God guide us a’ and gie us grace — 
And mickle grace they need 
That hae lo’ed a bairn as I lo’ed her, 
And that bairn lying deid. 


92 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


[Lines written on the death of my Brothcr-in-Law, A. McIntyre.] 

My lease o' life is nearly run, I ken I’m deein’ noo ; 

It canna be much langer ere I hae to pairt wi’ you, 

I feel my end is drawin’ near, but that brings me nae pain. 
Unless the thochts o’ leaving you within the warld alane. 

• 

I’m glad my reason still remains to tak’ fareweel o’ thee— 

In a’ our trials you hae been a guid, guid wife to me ; 

Be it your comfort when I’m gane to think I lo’ed ye weel. 
An’ ne’er had ony fau’ts to you, ye’ve aye been true an’ leal. 

Then dinna greet, my bonnie doo, as if your heart wud 
break. 

It mak’s me laith to leave the warld if only for your sake ; 

I ken ye’ll hae an unco fecht, ye’ll hae to struggle sair, 

A puir man’s widow meets wi’ much that’s geyin’ hard to 
bear. 

But ye maun put your trust in Him wi’ whom my peace is 
made. 

An’ then let come or gang what will you needna be afraid. 
He mak’s the wind blaw saft at nicht to lammies on the lea, 
An’ dinna doubt but what He’ll tak far greater care o’ thee. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


93 


It pleased the Lord to tak' frae us our bonnie bairnies twa, 

An' weei I ken ye miss’d them sair when they were ta’en awa; 

But Providence sustained you then, an’ sae it will do noo — 

If ye’ll be guided by God’s grace He’ll bring you safely thro’. 

I aften think aboot our bairns, (I’ll sune be wi’ them noo), 

I dreamt a weesyne that they baith cam’ back to me an' you. 

Wee Allie took my han’ in his, his een shone clear an’ bricht. 

An’ Isa whispered in my ear yoii* re gaun wV us the 7iicht : 

“ We’ll tak you, faither, to a place that’s free frae earthly 
care, 

An’ things that cause you trouble here will never vex you 
mair ; 

There’s naethin’ there that gangs ajee, there’s nocht that can 
annoy, 

It s a’ a roun’ o’ endless bliss, an’ happiness, an’ joy.” 

I tauld them I wud gang wi’ them, an’ O I but they were 
glad; 

But when I turn’d around an’ saw you sittin’ there sae sad, 

The thochts o’ what you yet micht dree before me quickly 
past. 

An’ I said I wudna leave you yet, my first luve an’ my last. 

There’s somethin’ pu’in’ at my heart, I canna tell ye mair, 

Wheesht, hinny, O ! be comforted, you maunna greet sae 
sair ; 

Compose yours el’ an’ try an’ say the Lord’s ain will be dune — 

That’s richt, we’ll no be pairted lang, we’ll sune meet up 
aboon. 


94 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Noo put your arms around my neck an’ kiss me ere I dee ; 
It is the last ye’ll ever get upon this earth frae me. 

I feel the pressure o’ your lips, but canna see yoursel’, 

I hear Christ sayin’, “ Come awa” — fareweel, God bless yoii, 
Bell. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


95 


^he ®ii)0iD0 

He’s awa, he’s awa to the land o* the leal/’ 
Frae this world o’ sorrow and pain, 

And it tried me sair to say fareweel 
When he left me a’ alane, 

But in my inmost heart I feel 
That my loss has been his gain. 

He’s awa, he’s awa, and he winna come back. 
And my een wi’ tears are dim. 

And my heart is sometimes like to break 
That I canna gang to him. 

I ken its wrang, but I’m frail and weak. 

And the future, whiles, looks grim. 

He’s awa, he’s awa where I ken he’ll meet 
Wi’our bonnie bairnies three, 

And aften in their unions sweet, 

They will kindly talk o’ me, 

And speak o’ a time that’s coming yet. 

When we’ll a’ united be. 

O Thou who art the widow’s friend, 

Her comfort, hope and stay I 
Thy counsel still unto me lend. 

Watch o’er me day by day, 

And guide me on unto the end 
Of life’s lang weary way. 


96 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


£ioi but <Sonz IJef^re. 

ON THE DEATH OF MY CHILD. 

WeVe nae wee Lily noo, Maggie, 

WeVe nae wee Lily noo ; 

Death^s laid his cauld, damp, icy han’ 
Upon her bonnie broo. 

That broo whaur gowden ringlets play’d, 
Aboon her een o’ blue. 

’Twas destined sae to be, Maggie, 

’Twas destined sae to be. 

That God should tak’ awa’ the gift 
He gied to you and me ; 

’Twas hard to part wi’t ; sorrow’s aye 
A bitter thing to dree. 

She looked some like yoursel, Maggie, 
She looked some like yoursel ; 

How much I lo’ed her nane but He 
Wha kens our hearts can tell. 

We will not murmur at His will, 

He doeth all things well. 

We’ll miss her unco sair, Maggie, 

We’ll miss her unco sair ; 

But she has gane whaur grief and pain 
Will never reach her mair — 

Whaur flowerets bloom and shed perfume 
In Heaven’s garden fain 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


97 


We will not mourn her noo, Maggie, 

W e will not mourn her nop ; 

She isna lost but gane before — 

Just hidden frae our view ; 

She’s better aff than she could be, 

Were she still here wi’ you. 

We’ll meet wi’ her again, Maggie, 

Wedl meet wi’ her again. 

When we hae passed thro' death's dark vale. 
And crossed o'er Jordan's plain ; 

'Mang ither lammies in Christ's fauld 
We’ll see our ain wee wean. 


98 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


(Read Before the St. Andrew’s Society, Hamilton.) 

Hail, Scotland ! land o' mickle fame, 

Where a' my forbears found a hame, 

Where poets, sages and divines. 

In pleasant places cast their lines — 

Where honor, truth and worth are found. 
And every neuk" is hallowed ground," 
Land o’ my sires ! tho’ far away, 

I greet thee on St. Andrew’s Day. 

I’m aye Canadian, a’ the year. 

Until Saint Andrew’s Day draws near. 

And then the Scotch blood fires my veins — - 
Auld Scotland the ascendant gains. 

And vividly before my min’ 

Comes back the days o’ Auld Lang Syne ; 
When I by Kelvin’s streams hae roved. 

To dream and muse on things I loved — 

Or wandered doon by Scotston Wood, 

And there at eve enchanted stood 
To hear the blackbird trill his lays, 

And sing his evening sang o’ praise. 

Just ere the sun had sunk to rest 
In that dear land he loves the best. 

Leeze me ! on thee, Auld Scotland, dear, 
Tho’ parted four-and-twenty year. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


99 


Thy memory is as fresh and green 
As tho’ I^d left you but yestreen ; 

And if Td live a hunder year, 

To me ye'd aye be just as dear. 

Wha wadna love that mountain land. 
Where Bruce and Wallace drew the brand 
That first gave freedom to her sons, 

And made their mem’ries hallow'd ones ? 
Wha wadna love ilk flowery dell. 

O'er which Scott threw his magic spell, 
Where poesy enraptured reigns. 

And sweetly sings in Doric strains ? 

Wha wadna love the land which gave 
To Truth sae mony martyrs brave, 

That didna fear to draw their sword 
To fecht the battles o' the Lord, — 

Wha for their conscience boldly stood. 
Drenched to the very knees in blood. 

And fearless shed their ain that we. 

Their sons, should be forever free 
To worship God, by nicht or day. 

As our ain conscience points the way ? 
Wha wadna love its hills and dales. 

Its blooming haughs and fertile vales. 

Its broomy knowes and heath-clad fells. 
The sweet sound o' its Sabbath bells. 

Its grand auld kirks and worthy men. 

Its martyrs' cairns on hill and glen. 

Its bonnie^ blooming, black-e’ed queans — 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Ilk ane o^ them like Jeanie Deans 
Its bards wha sang o’ bonnets blue, 

Its pibrochs, plaids, and mountain dew ? — 

A recreant loon that Scot must be 
Wha disna love and honor thee. 

My country ! on thy shrine I lay 
A heart that beats as true this day 
As when I said fareweel to thee. 

To follow fortune o’er the sea. 

Thou ither Scotland unto me, 

Dear as adopted land can be. 

Fair Canada ! for thee I feel 
A deep heart-interest in thy weal. 

Altho’ thou hast not gi’en them birth, 

The dearest anes to me on earth 
Have found a grave upon thy soil, 

To rest frae a’ their cares and toil. 

O may thy sons and daughters fair 
A robe of truth and virtue wear ! 

Be they the guardians of thy fame. 

And earn for thee an honor’d name 
Among the nations of the earth 
For valor, justice, truth, and worth. 

Long may thy banners proudly wave 
O’er freeborn maids and patriots brave ! 

And sparkling on their silken sheen 
Like brilliants, may these words be seen, 
(When to the breeze they are unfurl’d) — 
Peace and Good-will to All the Worlp 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


lOI 


llemembn* the fioox, 

(Respectfully dedicated to the Members of St. Andrew’s Society, 

Hamilton. ) 

•“Poor, naked wretches, wheresoe’er you are, that bide the pelting of this pitiless 
storm, how shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, your loop’d and window’d 
raggedness, defend you from seasons such as these.’’ — Shakspeare. 

The simmer days are past an’ gane, 

An’ a’ their beauty’s fled ; 

The flowers that bloom’d sae fresh an’ fair 
Are wither’d now an’ dead. 

Auld winter has come roun’ ance mair, 

Wi’ sleet, an’ cauld, an’ rain, 

. An’ frost an’ snaw will reign supreme 
For twa-three months again. 

I’ll no misca’ the winter time, 

Altho’ its blasts are keen, 

An’ snaw-drifts lie whaur shortly since 
The buddin’ flowers were seen ; 

For ilka season has its joys 
An’ pleasures o’ its ain. 

An’ Chris’mas comes in winter time ' 

To cheer our hearts again. 

But when I think upon the puir, 

My heart is wae an’ sad ; 

Nae pleasure does it bring to them--* 

Half-fed an’ no half-clad. 


102 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


God help them a’ whaure’er they be, 
For mickle help they need 
That hae nae siller in their pouch, 

Nor house aboon their heid. 

O ! mony are the ills, I trow. 

That puir folk hae to dree. 

An’ bitter are the pangs they thole 
Thro’ want an’ poverty. 

Nae wonder, then, they rise sometimes. 
An’ tak’ what’s been denied, — 

A starvin’ wife an’ twa-three weans 
Are unco sair to bide. 

Ye wha in cosie parlors sit 
Beside a cheerfu’ fire, 

Wi’ ilka thing aroun’ ye that 
Your wishes can desire, 

Think what a difference there is 
Between your state an’ theirs : 
You’ve nocht but joys on every han’ — 
Their life is fu’ o’ cares. 

Then dinna hoard your siller up. 

An’ keep’t frae being seen ; 

But mak’ guid use o’ a’ the gifts 
That God to you has gi’en. 

Gae forth amang the streets an’ lanes. 
An’ do whate’er you can 
To mak’ the puir folks’ sufferings less. 
An’ help your fellow-man. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


103 


An’ bear the Golden Rule in min’, 
An’ act upon it, too. 

Aye do to ithers as you would 
Hae ithers do to you. 

You’ll naething lose tho’ ye to them 
Some little help afford ; 

For them wha gi’es unto the puir. 

Is lendin’ to the Lord. 


104 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^ht @athmn0 ot thz Qlltcm, 

(Respectfully dedicated to the Members of the St. Andrew’s 
Society, of Hamilton.) 

“ Wat ye whds a coming t ” 

The birthday o’ the Queen’s coming : 

The games upon the green’s coming ; 

O’er hill and dale 
And muir and vale 
The clans will a’ be seen coming. 

There’s mony men o’ rank coming ; 

The Laird o’ Athol Bank’s coming : 

Macnab, Macraw, 

And Service, wha 
Aye fills a muckle bank’s coming. 

Muir, Murray and McLean’s coming ; 
Buchanan, Binny, Baine’s coming ; 

The Browns and Hopes, 

McKays, Dunlops, 

And a’ their wives and weans coming. 

The Frazers, ane and a’s, coming ; 

The Campbells, great and sma’s, coming ; 
McKenzies, Kerrs, 

The Findlay s, Blairs, 

The Craigies, Harveys, Law’s coming. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


105 

Tlie Sutherland’s great clan’s coming, 

And Osborne in the van’s coming, 

The Watsons true. 

Brave Angus, too. 

And Dawson and his Nan’s coming. 

McPherson and McNeil’s coming. 

And Roy, a royal chiel’s, coming ; 

And wi’ the lave 
There’s mony a brave 
Descendant o’ Lochiel coming. 

Bruce, Hutchison and Bell’s coming ; 

And Leggat (Mat. himsel’s) coming ; 

And o’er the mead 
The Hendries lead 
Mair men than I can tell, coming. 

Brave chiels frae Tweed and Tay’s coming; 

Braw lads frae Clyde and Spey’s coming. 

And mony a lass, 

Frae hill and pass, 

Thinks fondly o’ that day coming. 

Edina’s bairns are a’ coming. 

And Aberdeen awa’s coming ; 

And lads frae Doon 
And Mungo’s toon. 

And “ queer folk frae the Shaws ” coming. 

Auld pawky Adam Glen’s coming. 

The Lass o’ Hawthornden’s coming, 


io6 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


And Mistress Jean 
Declared yestreen 

That she and auld Cockpen’s coming. 

There’s strapping lads frae Fife coming, 

Neil Gow and his guid wife’s coming, 

And Heather Jock, 

And Paisley folk. 

Expanding wi’ new life’s, coming. 

There’s Eastwoods, Stewarts, Mack’s coming. 
And Robertsons and Jack’s coming. 

St. Andrew’s sent 
A muckle tent, 

And wi’ it Dannie Black’s coming. 

There’s Skinners, Reids and Tait’s coming, 
McGiverin, the great’s, coming. 

There’s ne’er a Scot 
In a’ the lot, 

But’s proud to be his mate, coming. 

Our auld Saint will look doon, then, 

On ilka ane aroun’, then ; 

Weel pleased he’ll be 
His bairns to see, 

Frae country and frae toon, then. 

Dundurn ! thy towers will ring, then ; 

Our cares will a’ tak’ wing then ; 

The pipes will play. 

And blythe and gay 
We’ll dance the Highland fling, then. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


107 


Jltilb §coim'0 

Auld Scotia’s games ! Auld Scotia’s games 
I like to see them a’: 

They bring thegither buirdly chiels, 

And bonnie lasses braw ; 

They wile us frae our cares at times, 

And frae our cosy hames ; 

It’s pleasant whiles to spend a day 
To see Auld Scotia’s games. 

It’s grand to see the caber tossed, 

Or watch them throw the quoit ; 

And when the Gillie Callum’s ” danced, 
It fills us wi’ delight. 

It cheers the heart and fires the bluid 
To dance a blythe Strathspey 

Wi’ some young sonsie queen wha’s een 
Are black as ony'slae, 

It brings our native hills and dales 
And glens again around’. 

To see the pipers in their kilts 
Gaun marchin’ up and doon ; 

And hear them play some warlike air. 

Or some auld cantie spring, 

Till lads and lasses loup like daft. 

And dance the Highland fling. 


io8 


POEMS AND SONGS. 

Oh, Canada ! I lo'e ye weel ! 

Altho^ nae son o' thine, 

Within thy wide domain their beats 
Nae truer heart than mine ; 

But when a day like this comes roun', 
Auld Scotia has her claims : 

The thistle aye comes uppermost — 

I gang to see the games ! 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


109 


ipetcr ®0q. 

(Sur|!g at a supper given him by the St. Andrew’s Society, Hamilton, 

Ontario. ) 

Air — My Hither MendH my Auld Breeks.’’^ 


There's some wha sing o’ Lords and Dukes^ 
And men like Julius Caesar ; 

I sing an honest, worthy man— 

His name is Peter Fraser, 

Altho’ he isna what ye ca’ 

Ane o’ these titled gentry, 

He’s been a credit to us a’— 

An honor to his country. 

A fig for Peers and Potentate^, 

Or ony King or Kaiser ; 

We’ve men amang us truly great. 
And ane is Peter Fraser. 

When Nature thought she’d mak’ a man 
That never wud disgrace her, 
ghe gaed awa’ to Inverness — 

That queer, auld-fashioned place, sir—* 


no 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


And lang she wrought baith night and day 
Ere she got ane to please her ; 

At length (o' guid auld Hieland clay) 

She made up Peter Fraser, 

Then a fig for Peers and Potentates, &c. 

How well she's done her handiwork 
His actions aye ha'e shown us ; 

For deeds speak louder far than words, 

And muckle guid he’s done us. 

If merit meets wi’ due respect. 

Then Peter will get plenty ; 

There’s no ae man deserves it mair 
In nineteen out o’ twenty. 

Then a fig for Peers and Potentates, &c. 

The Highland bluid that warms his veins, 

Frae sires he did inherit, 

Wha hardly kent what failure meant, 

Sae dauntless was their spirit ; 

And men wha storm’d Quebec wi’ Wolfe, 

Or wi’ Ross climb’d the glaciers. 

Had hearts made out o’ just such stuff 
As that o’ Peter Fraser’s. 

Then a fig for Peers and Potentates, &c. 

Saint Andrew’s sons will miss him sair 
Whene’er he leaves the city. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Ill 


For he has always foremost been 
Upon the path of duty ; 

And mony a puir but honest Scot 
By him has been befriended — 

His heart was open to their wants, 

His hand was aye extended. 

Then a fig for Peers and Potentates, &c. 


Now, Peter, lad, weTe unco sad. 

And sairly does it grieve us. 

To think that you and your guid wife 
Are gaun awa’ to leave us ; 

But when you get to Inverness, 

She aften will remind ye, 

While ye on Clach-na-cudin’”'^ sit, 
O’ friends you left behind ye. 


While wandering by the banks o’ Ness, 
Amang the blooming heather. 

Ye’ll think on mony happy nights 
That we ha’e spent thegither. 


^ Clach-na-cudin ; literally, the Stone of the Tub— a famous old stone in the 
High Street of Inverness, where, in days gone by, when the now thriving and 
fashionable capital of the Scottish Highlands was a mere fishing “ Clachan,” the 
Highland maidens were wont to rest with their tubs, (and, of course, meet their 
sweethearts), on the way to or from “ washing” in the Ness, No visitor to Inver- 
ness, with any regard for the sacred things of auld lang syne, fails to sit on Clach- 
na-cudin. 


II2 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


May naething happen you or her 
Will gi’e ye cause for grievin’ ; 

May fortune, friends, and a’ that’s guid, 

Be yours as lang’s ye're leivin’ ; 

May Heaven send you o’ its gifts 
It’s very choicest treasures, 

And bless your wife, and hae a care 
O’er a’ the little Frasers. 

Then, lads, around the jorum pass, 
And dinna scrimp the measure ; 
And fill a cup, and toast it up 
To worthy Peter Fraser. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


I 


Uht <§i:x>ti:hinan'0 ®:eir0me io hi0 Jfir0t Jfit. 

A GUiD New Year unto ye a', 

An' mony may ye see ; 

An’ as ilk ither ane comes roun', 

Mair happy may ye be. 

I’m proud that yeVe first fitted me, 

I'm glad to see you here ; ’ 

An' $ae I wish you a' again, 

Anither guid New Year. 

But dinna stan' outside the door, 

But come your wa's in ben ; 

Gudewife, put on a weel faur'd mutch, 

An’ bring the “ Tappit Hen." 

Let’s hae a drap o' ‘‘ mountain dew," 

Be happy while ye 're here ; 

Wha kens gin we may ever see, 

Anither guid New Year? 

Sit doon my frien's aroun’ the fire, 

An' keep the cauld awa' : 

Our auld gudewife '11 soon be here, 

Wi’ somethin' for us a'. 

An' thankfu’ let us be to Him, 

Wha keeps us hale an' fier ; 

For mony blessin's we’ve received. 

An’ mony a guid New Year. 


II4 


POEMS AND SONGS. 

Now ye maun hae a taste frae me, 

To thaw ye're frozen mou' ; 

There's no' much WTang if ance a year, 
We get a ‘‘ wee thocht fou. 

Here's wishin' weel to ane an' a,' 
That's roun' aboot me here ; 

An' may we a' be spared to see, 
Anither guid New Year. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


II5 


%ktxt0 JHxrng a <SHp ike mx ike 

There’s mony a slip ’twixt the cup an’ the lip, 
That’s gey weel understood, 

But there far mair slips when the cup to the lips 
Gangs oftener than it shou’d. 

“ When the wine is in then the wit is out,” 

Is a saying auld an’ true ; 

Then tak’ guid care o’ what you’re aboot, 

Or else ye may dearly rue* 

The joys ye buy at the festive board 
Aft cost ye far o’er dear. 

The frien’s that ye shake ban’s wi’ there, 

Are seldom ’ere sincere. 

I’ve heerd folk tell that the Deil himsef 
Thraw’s glamor o’er the wine, 

An’ he draws aroun’ ye its witchin’ spell, 

Till ye tint your peace o’ mind. 

Then he lures ye on frae bad to waur 
Till ye come to some bad en’. 

He breaks the hearts o’ wives and weans, 

An’ he ruins the saul’s o’ men. 

Then, brithren a’, before ye fa’ 

I rede ye to beware 
An’ tak’ guid heed that ye dinna tread 
On the drunkard’s path nae mair, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Il6 


^hegli ICaiig §pxroii0 thafU <Sup h)x iht '^zxL 

They'll hae geyin lang spoons that'll sup wi' the Deil, 

If they e'er want to come ony speed, 

For I'm tauld that his elbow's as supple's an eel, 

An' he's just like a gled in his greed ; 

Since the day he was seen in a serpentine shape, 

He's been kenn'd for an auld-fashioned chiel, 

An' he's ready for a' things, his mouth's aye agape 
Like the mouth o' a fisherman's creel. 

But yet for a' that there is seldom a feast 
That tak's place whaur he isna a guest : 

He dines wi' the statesman, he dines v/i' tbe priest. 
Whichever ane suits him the best. 

It‘s a wonderfu' thing, let him gang whaur he likes, 

He's maistly aye sure o' a meal. 

An’ as happy's a bee when it bums roun' its byke. 

When he's pleased, is his worship the Deil. 

He's aye on the glaum, baith by nicht an' by day, 

An' lays ban's on a' he can get; 

He’s isna particular what comes in his way — 

It’s a' fish that gangs into his net ; 

He's fond o' a dish made o' ‘Svranged orphans' tears," 
Them wha gar the tears flow he likes weel, 

But “birds o’ a feather are fond o' each ither," 

( Put that flea in your lug, Maister Deil) 


POEMS AND SONGS. II7 

If there's naething that's made that has been made in vain. 

Then the Dell maun be usefu' at times : 

The ministers tell us, again and again, 

That he's sent as a scourge for our crimes. 

Ye wha glory in dinin' upon feasts o' sin, 

There is ae thing I'd hae you mind weel : 

Ye'll be early sat doon, and ye’ll hae a lang spoon. 

If ye sup sowp about with the Deil. 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


^hz Champion Prunkarb of ©ntario 

The de’il tak' you, James Livingstone, 
YeVe cost the toon a heap o* siller. 

Ye’re drinkin’ a’ the time, an’ yet 
Ye’re aye as dry as ony miller. 

Day after day, week after week. 

Month after month, ye never tire ; 

I canna see how you can baud 
Sic quantities o’ liquid fire,’^ 

There’s some can tak’ a drap at times, 

An’ keep within the bounds o’ reason ; 

But you are no’ content wi’ that. 

Ye’re at it in an’ out o’ season. 

Want it wha likes, ye’re bound to hae ’t. 

As lang as ye can beg or borrow ; 

Ye’ve drank enough to droon a toon 
As big as Sodom or Gomorrah. 

If whiskey fill’d our lakes, then ye 

Adown your throat would keep it pourin’. 

Until ye drank Ontario dry 
An’ drain’d Lake Erie an’ Lake Huron. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


II9 

Twa hunder’ times, aye mair than that, 

YeVe been in “Castle Milne^'* for drinkin’; 

Had ye been treated to the “ Cat,^’t 
Ye’d no be there sac aft, I’m thinkin’. 

Its unco hard that worthy folk, 

Guid honest, decent workin’ chiels, 

Should be compell’d to keep an’ feed 
A set o’ drucken ne’er-do-weels. 

The maist o’ things ha’e got an end, 

(A puddin’ we are tauld has twa ;) 

But much I doot ye’ll never quat 
The whiskey till ye’re ta’en awa’. 

I think sometimes, an’ ye maun own 
That the conclusion is a just one. 

If you don’t stop ye’ll dee o’ what 
Is ca’d spontaneous combustion. 

An’ when ye’re lyin’ wi’ the deid. 

An’ dune wi’ drinkin’ in this warl’, 

Your epitaph like this will read. 

Here lies a worn-oot whiskey barrel. 


* Castle Milne, Hamilton Jail. 
t Cat-o’- nine-tails. 


120 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Hamilton. 

In free and fair Ontario the summer sun looks down, 

On many a goodly city and on many a thriving town ; 

But in our wide Dominion there is not a single one 

That has a better claim to fame than that of Hamilton. 

Her white-winged messengers of trade sail over lake and sea, 

And north and south and east and west their flags are flying 
free ; 

While through her midst, with fiery breath, like lightning in 
its course. 

And bearing commerce in its train, there speeds the iron 
horse. 

The busy hum of industry upon her streets is heard, 

And Science vies with Art, arid Toil brings home a fair 
reward ; 

Her artizans have earned a place upon the scroll of fame, 

And Europe’s sons have learned to pay respect unto her 
name. 

Her merchants in their dealings have a reputation won 

For honor and integrity that is excelled by none. 

At home, abroad, their enterprise and energy we trace ; 

Wherever sterling worth ranks high they hold an honor’d 
place. 


I2I 


POEMS AND SONGS. 

We have no gorgeous palaces, no airy cloud-capp'd towers, 

No halls of regal state within this Hamilton of ours ; 

But we have homes where virtue reigns, and peace and 
comfort dwell, 

And churches filled with worshippers when sounds the 
Sabbath bell. 

No fairer maids tread God's green earth than Hamilton can 
boast — 

Though fair their forms, it is not that for which we prize them 
most ; 

It is their loveliness of mind wherein their merit lies. 

And modest, unassuming worth finds homage in our eyes. 

And should their homes endanger’d be, our maidens need 
not fear, 

In their defence we well can trust each gallant volunteer. 

The trust we have reposed in them is sacred to them all — 

** Aye ready,” are they when they hear the bugle’s stirring 
call. 

Thy sons and daughters, Hamilton, may well feel proud of 
thee, 

Thy record in the past is good, great will thy future be ; 

Within this glorious land of ours ( and there’s no land more 
blest,) 

There’s many a goodly city, but I love our own the best. 


122 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


In the long ago, in the happy days 
When you and I were young, 

We wandered o’er the sunny braes, 

Where clustering hazels hung ; 

We gathered sloes and berries red, 

Where the crystal streamlets flow. 

And the lark sung gaily o’er our head, 

In the happy long ago. 

In the happy days, in the long ago 
When we sat ’neath the birchen tree. 

And the sun shone down on your hair so brown, 
And your eyes looked love to me ; 

The throstle piped in joy to his mate, 

When, in accents soft and low. 

You whisper’d me my bride you’d be 
In the happy long ago. 

Your hair is tinged with silver now. 

And we both are growing old, 

But the love we pledged each other then 
Has never since grown cold ; 

Our summer is past, and autumn has come — 

It will soon be winter’s snow, 

But my heart beats true as it did to you 
In the happy long ago* 


POEMS AND SONGS. 

Ah ! wife, the time will come when we 
In the churchyard will be laid, 

And the friends that loved us when in life 
Will forget us when we’re dead ; 

May we lie together side by side 
Till the angel’s trump shall blow. 

And the Christ has come who died for us 
In the long, long, long ago. 


123 


124 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^ht 0 Return. 

Four little feet 
Coming down the street, 

Flying along as if running a “ heat 
Two happy faces beaming with joy, 

One little girl and one little boy. 

She with her bright eyes comes bounding along — 

He with his rosy cheeks, healthy and strong, 

T.aughing and shouting as onward they come 
To welcome their father from work coming home ; 

Two little mouths are held up for a kiss. 

Causing a heart-thrill, a feeling of bliss— 

What joy in the world is equal to this ? 

Their mother keeps watch at the cottage door. 

And her heart with love it is running o’er ; 

Well pleased, she sees, looking down the street. 

That her husband seems happy their children to meet, 
As he raises the youngest one up in his arms 
(Its face all glowing with Nature’s charms). 

In those great round arms of his, so strong. 

While they merrily chat to him coming along. 

And he lists to the talk of his children twain, 

Overjoyed to be with them at evening again, 

And the face of their mother beams bright with a smile, 
As she welcomes her husband come back from his toil. 

He enters the house and sits down in his chair, 

And says, while they gather around him there : 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


125 


This is the bank where my wealth is stored, 

And none has a treasure that’s more adored.” 

Then he turns to the table and rev’rently says : 

All Gracious Father, to Thee be the praise. 

For food, and for raiment, and covering, we 
Desire to be thankful, O Lord, unto Thee, 

For health and each blessing we daily enjoy, 

And for that peace of mind there is naught can destroy. 
Accept of our thanks. Lord, again and again. 

And pardon our sins for Thy Son’s sake. Amen.” 

Grace ended, his wife gaily serves out the tea. 

And a sweet little, blithe little woman is she. 

With his girl beside him, and his boy on his knee. 

No king in the world is prouder than he. 

While he lists to their prattle the meal passes by, 

An hour more for playing, and their bed-time draws nigh. 
And the four little feet. 

That ran down the street. 

Are weary and tired now, and worn out complete. 

Then their mother unrobes them and puts them to bed, 

(But not until after their prayers have been said). 

In a few minutes after there comes a ‘‘ wee cheep,” 

Dust tiss us once more Ta, an^ we go to seep.” 

He enters their room and he bends down his head. 

And says, while he looks at them nestling in bed, 

“ God keep you my children, all safe and all right, 
Now,then,both of you kiss me,” ‘‘good night. Pa,” “dood nite.” 


126 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


the geabv 

ON THE DESECRATION OF GRAVES IN CEMETERIES. 

Give something to the dead. Give what? Respect. — KNOWLES. 

Shame on the sacrilegious wretch 
W ould pluck the heart-gifts from a grave, 

And, in mere wantonness, destroy 
Those tributes which affection gave ! 

Gave to the memory of those 
Who from this earth have passed away ; 

Are they not records which denote 
Our love for them knows no decay? 

The Widow sows flowers on the grave 
Of him who loved her well in life ; 

The Husband pays respect through them 
To her who was his faithful wife. 

The Orphan, weeping, kneels beside 
The grave that holds her parents dear. 

And puts “a sweet remembrance there, 

And waters it with many a tear. 

Yon maiden with the pensive brow. 

Mourns one she knew who loved her well ; 

And, bending o'er his grave at eve, 

She strews the plaintive immortelle. 


t 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


127 


Those places sacred are to them, 

Whatever they may be to you ; 

And were you just and pure in heart, 

You would hold them in reverence, too. 

That flower, so rudely torn apart, 

A loving Mother^s hand placed there, 

In memory of a darling child. 

She watched and nursed with tender care. 

But all her care availed her naught — 

Death took her bonny blue-eyed boy — 

That spot she cherishes so dear 
Would you maliciously destroy ? 

Have you no thought — care you for naught — 
Is every spark of feeling fled. 

That thus you basely desecrate 

Those sacred “ dwellings of the dead ? 

“ Flowers are God’s children,” and where’er 
Love may have placed them, let them stand ; 

Nor with unhallowed hands profane 
Those emblems of the ‘‘ Better Land.” 


128 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


‘^ht ©ngine briber. 

{Respectfully dedicated to the Engine Drivers on the Great Western 
Railway of Canada.) 

Rattle along, my Iron Steed, 

So lithe of limb and free ; 

There’s somebody fifty miles away 
That is wishing God speed to thee. 

There’s somebody sits in the cot by the track 
Beguiling the time with a song, 

Whose eyes will sparkle with pure delight 
When she sees thee come bounding along. 

Then merrily, cheerily rattle along, 

Thy sinews of steel are tough and strong. 

Rattle along, my Iron Steed, 

Merrily over the rail ; 

Thy course is fleeter and swifter far 
Than a ship before the gale ; 

The eagle swooping down on its prey 
Cannot cope with thee in speed ; 

The mountain stag on his native hills 
Is no match for thee, my steed. 

Then merrily, cheerily rattle along, 

Thy sinews of steel are tough and strong. 

Now, now thy breathing quicker comes, 

My hand is on thy rein ; 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


129 


Step out, my beauty, and falter not, 

Till ye carry me home again, — 

For Maggie she sits in the little porch 
Along with our children three. 

And I know they are looking with longing eyes, 
And watching for you and me. 

Then merrily, cheerily rattle along. 

Thy sinews of steel are tough and strong. 

Well done, well done ! we are nearing home. 
And my heart is beating fast : 

One minute more and well round the curve — 
There's the signal post at last ! 

Nay, pause not yet, but rattle along, 

With cheerful merry birr. 

The shriek from thy brazen throat will sound 
Like music sweet to her. 

Then merrily, cheerily rattle along. 

Thy sinews of steel are tough and strong. 

Guessed I not right ? See, there she is. 

Outside the cottage door. 

And the ribbon fluttering in her hair 
Is a welcome semaphore. 

Lord love my babe, how it laughs and crows. 
And keeps jumping upon her knee ; 

While Willie and Annie are out on the stile. 
Both waving their hands to me. 

Then merrily, cheerily rattle along. 

Thy sinews of steel are tough and strong. 


130 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


God bless you, my wife ! now halt, my steed. 

Our labor has not been vain ; 

There’s many a woman as well as she 
Will bless thy coming again. 

There’s many a one will be glad to-night. 

And some that will wish God speed 
To the men who bring them such precious freight, 
And who ruleth the Iron* Steed. 

Now rest thee, my steed, our labor is done. 

And to-morrow again well be up with the sun. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


I31 


^ <Sabbatk 

( Composed whilst beholding the sun rise near the beautiful residence of 
John Brown, Esq., at five o’clock in the morning, May 25th 1873.) 

Bless God for this holy sabbath morn, 

While the robins their early matins are singing, 

And the maples are spreading their foliage of green. 
And the air with a tremulous joy is ringing ! 

All Nature, in its various ways, 

Is sending forth its Maker’s praise. 

The city lies hush’d in a holy calm, 

While the sun is shedding his beams abroad. 

And everything seems as fresh and pure 

As it was when it came from the hands of God. 

Like a mirror of silver shines the Bay — 

As dear and as bright as the Milky Way. 

Its great heart-throbs are silent and still — 

Not a ruffle appears to disturb its breast ; 

As I gaze on it from the brow of the hill, 

It seems to add to the placid rest 
Of this peaceful morn. What a pleasure and bliss 
If all our morns were a Sabbath like this ! 

Like this ! It seems a foretaste of the time 
Which the Lord hath promised to us will be' given 
When His will shall be done upon this earth 
As it is already done in Heaven. 

O Lord, list the prayer of a heart sincere. 

Save all who abide in the city here ! 


132 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


^ittk 

Little Lizzie, bright and fair ; 
Lizzie with the golden hair ; 

Eyes that beam with life and love- 
Sweet wee totiim, cooing dove. 
Winsome, gleesome, prattling pet, 
Rosebud, snowdrop, violet, 

Zephyr, wafting here and there — 
Lizzie with the golden hair. 

Teasing, pleasing, laughing thing, 
Joyous as a bird in Spring ; 
Brooklets, singing as they run, 
Glancing, dancing in the sun, 

Are not merrier than thou art : 
Bless thy gentle loving heart ; 
Heaven keep thee in its care — 
Darling, with the golden hair, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


133 


llntn. 

Rain, rain, welcome again ! 

Long have we wished for thee, wished but in vain ; 
Now thou art come with thy blessings again. 

Glad welcome we give thee, thou heart-cheering rain. 

Welcome to flow’rets long drooping their heads, 
Welcome to streams nearly dry in their beds, 
Welcome to forest and mountain and plain, 

Welcome, thrice welcome, thou swift-falling rain. 

Welcome to herds on the parched mountain’s brow. 
Welcome to flocks in the valley below. 

Welcome to meadow and orchard and grain, 
Everything’s singing thy welcome again. 

Welcome art thou to the tired sons of toil, 

Lighting our faces again with a smile. 

Cooling the fever that burns in our brain, 

A thousand times welcome, thou life-giving rain. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


®x[x §onmt 

O BRIGHTLY shines the summer sun 
Upon our bonnie bay ! 

Our little bark at anchor rides 
And chafes to get away. 

The crystal wavelets kiss her prow, 

And glance along her side ; 

Ontario woos her with its smiles, 

As lover WOOS his bride. 

Then go with me, my winsome quean. 
And spend the summer day — 

Where health is found and joys abound— 
Upon our bonnie bay. 

The breeze that fills our swelling sail 
Will waft us gaily on. 

Where little Islets, green and fair, 

Lie basking in the sun. 

The zephyrs cool will fan thy brow, 

And through thy tresses play ; 

Thy cheek will gain a richer hue 
Upon our bonnie bay. 

Then go with me, my winsome quean. 
And spend the summer day — 

Where health is found and joys abound — 
Upon our bonnie bay. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


U5 

O brightly shines the summer sun 
On forest, hill and dale ! 

And from the woodlands comes the breath 
Of many a perfumed vale. 

All nature wears its richest garb, 

To lure you forth to day ; 

But nowhere does it look so sweet 
As round our bonnie bay. 

Then go with me, my winsome quean. 

And spend the summer day — 

Where health is found and joys abound — 

Upon our bonnie bay. 


136 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


ON SEEING A MAGNIFICENT BUFFALO’S HEAD PACKED FOR TRAN 
PORTATION TO EUROPE. 

Great monarch of the Western Prairie, hail I 

Shorn of thy strength, thy head lies prostrate — low ; 
Time was, when thou wert swift and sure of foot. 

And strong of heart and limb — brave Buffalo. 

Was it a rifle-bullet pierced thy breast — 

Or feathered shaft from painted Redskin^s bow? 

Or did some “ brave, more daring than the rest. 

Get thee entangled in the strong lasso ? 

Oft thou has sported at the even-tide. 

With thy loved mate, beside some glassy stream ; 
Vaulting and coursing with a Bison’s pride, 

When life to thee w^as like a summer’s dream. 

Or pranced along the Prairie by her side. 

The maddest, merriest of the Bovine race ; 
Watching with jealous care thy dark-eyed bride. 
When danger threatened, and thy foes gave chase. 

No more the grass will bend beneath thy tread; 

For thee the salt-lick spring may now run dry — 
The herd no more will follow in thy lead ; 

Forever’s dimmed the flashing of thine eye» 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


137 


Great chieftain of the plains ! with visage sage, 

(Save when in am'rous mood, thou woo’d thy mate,) 

Jove’s thunderbolts were nothing to thy rage, 

Could’st thou but view thy present trunkless state, 

Europa’s sons will gaze on thee with dread, 

When thou art borne in safety o’er the brine ; 

And look, perchance, upon thee as the “ head” 

Of (not) the Allan^"'* but the Bu;§^al9 line.” 

Mayhap they’ll crack some jokes upon thy nu//* 
There are but few will mourn thy overthrow ; 

’Tis natural for men to make a butt 

Of Lo, the poor Indian,” and the Buffalo. 


138 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


(Spring 'i:h0nght0. 

Hail balmy spring ! — all but the balm — the balm is all my 
eye,— 

Thou com’st again, to deck the earth with rich and gorgeous 
dye; 

The Frost King’s revelled long enough with all his icy train, 

With gladsome hearts — ^just new thawed out — we welcome 
thee again. 

The Winter^s passing from us now, while you come right 
along. 

And, like an honest shoemaker, the sun is waxing strong. 

The ‘‘ beautiful” is vanishing, the robins try to sing, 

“ Old Probabilities” declares that these are signs of Spring. 

The brooks that were ice-bound are “ loose,” and gambol on 
their way, 

As blythe as lambkins in a field upon a summer’s day. 

Frost jewels glitter in the sun and sparkle on the trees ; 

The influenza still prevails and causes us to sneeze. 

All nature looks more beautiful, the dry goods clerks begin 

To titivate themselves again and barberize their chin ; 

Their hair is parted carefully and smoothed is their cravats. 

Their wide-awakes are laid aside for highfalutin’ hats. 

Our ladies — bless them one and all I^parade our thorough- 
fares. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 1 39 

And throw their sweetest smiles away and put on gushing 
airs. 

Whene’er you see them float around like swallows on the wing^ 

Be sure that they are hunting up tip-tilters”* for the Spring. 

And who, that has a heart to love, would grudge a treble X — 

Say once a month — to keep in tune those of the softer sex ? 

Spring were no Spring were we without their cheery looks 
and smiles ; 

Our homes would be the scene of feuds, domestic cares and 
broils. 

Boys will be boys ! men will be men 1 and o’er the whole 
world wide 

Our women now are just the same as Eve when in her pride. 

No doubt that Adam thought himself abused, you may depend. 

When Eve first asked a V from him to buy a Grecian bend. 

Our housemaids sweep our door-steps now; policemen on 
their ‘‘beat” 

Are casting sheep’s eyes here and there on almost every street ; 

Our Aldermen are sleek and fat, and none the worse for wear 

And sip their Spring-brewed ale again, and give no thought 
to care. 

Long live our Aldermen, say I, and may they “ waddle” round, 

And do whate’er within them lie to keep our taxes down ; 

When at our doors, at early morn, the Tax Assessors ring. 

With throbbing hearts v/e go to greet those “ voices of the 
Spring.” 


* Tip-tilters ” are the latest style of ladies’ bonnets. 


140 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


The whitewash brushes are brought out, and men begin to 
frown 

And say “ sweet things^* whene’er they hear of stove-pipes 
coming down ; 

I’ve said a few myself, and drained the dregs of sorrow’s cup, 

When nailing bedroom carpets down, or putting stove-pipes up. 

From out their lairs the Hurdy-gurdyists again go forth — 

These sons of sunny Italy, they always travel north ; 

With Darwin Aboriginals,''! who cut the pigeon wing, 

Our streets are made more lively by those harbingers of Spring. 

The cuckoo’s notes make glad the groves — in England — in 
the Spring ; 

Canadians never hear, nor think, nor dream of such a thing ; 

Our cuckoos are not musical ; the only notes we know 

Are I. O. U.'s we sometimes give to Mr. So-and-so. 

And when these notes are falling due, sad thoughts to us 
they bring. 

If we — as is most likely — cannot meet them in the Spring ! 

1 love the Spring with all my heart — ^who would not love 
what's grand ? 

I love the cuckoo's notes as well, but not the notes-of-hand. 

Tom Hood and Thomson sung of Spring, but then they 
knew their ‘‘ biz f'* 

I will not bid it hail again — its hailed, and snowed, and friz, 

Till I am sick and tired of it, and gladly would I bring 

My mind to think that Winter's gone, and this, at last, is 
Spring ! 


t Monkeys. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


141 


^m. nxtb the §xzihxzn of 

^ 0 . 133, §. ot (En$inm5. 

Dear Brothers in Toil, 

I received your kind gift 
Along with your flattering letter ; 

I was not aware I had ever done aught 
By which I had made you my debtor. 

I value your gift— but I value much more 
The spirit in which it was given ; 

To have the respect and esteem of our friends, 

Is something that's always worth having. 

May the great Brotherhood," of which you’re a part, 
Continue to prosper and flourish ; 

The mottoes which you have adopted for it 
Long may you continue to cherish. 

With Justice and Truth on your side, and the will 
To do what is right unto others. 

Can’t fail in the end to be crowned with success. 

And help to make all mankind Brothers. 

Tis pleasing to think when you’re done with this world, 
That those dear ones you’re leaving behind 
Will receive the reward of your forethought and care 
From your Brothers, true-hearted and kind. 


142 POEMS AND.SOKGS.^ 

May * Burnfield and Morgan, and Torry look down 
From their home, in the leal-land above. 

And bless those kind hearts, who first taught you the way 
To unite in this circle of love. 

While running along on the railroad of life. 

Be kind and be just to your neighbours ; 

And when your trip’s ended, be sure you will gain 
A happy result from your labours. 

When your fires have gone out, and your engine’s laid up. 

And your whistle no longer is heard. 

May you hear the glad words — “ Faithful servants, well done ; 
Enter into the joy of thy Lord.” 


AJ] three were killed while doing their duty. 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


143 


HAMILTON TO THE RESCUE. 

Rise fellow-men, up and be doing : 

Chicago unto you is crying ; 

Her city is smoking in ruin, 

The fire-fiend around it is flying ; 

There are thousands there destitute now, 

There are thousands are calling for bread. 

There are thousands who ne’er dream’d of needing your help. 
Who have nowhere to lay down their head ! 

Give with a will, and give soon : 

Do not, oh ! do not delay ; 

Remember, the evil they suffer from now 
May be ours yet at some future day ; 

Sympathize with your deeds, not your words ; 

Give freely whatever is given ; 

Charity’s blessed, and from earth rises up 
Like a sweet-smelling incense to Heaven I 

Up, Hamilton, then, and be doing : 

Chicago unto you is crying ; 

Her city is smoking in ruin. 

The fire-fiend around it is flying ; 

Come forward unto her relief, 

And help to dispel all her sorrow ; ( 

She has pass’d through a night of great grief. 

Be it yours to make bright her to-morrow. 


Written the evening the city was busy in making up relief to send to Chicago. 


144 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


JEomtitg, 

Night lifts her mantle from the earth, 
The stars have gone away, 

The cheerful songsters in the grove 
Salute the new-born day. 

The little flowers, whose tiny cups 
Have all been filled with dew, 

Now ope their eyes, in joyous glee. 

To see the sun burst through. 

And far o’er hill and dale he spreads 
His genial beams abroad, 

While everything in nature sends 
Its praises forth to God. 


t^OEMS AND SONGS. 


I4S 


^xxbnU to 

Welcome Erin's Prima Donna, 

Greet her with a happy throng ; 

Welcome Erin's lute-toned minstrel, 
Erin's matchless Queen of Song. 

Gems from many lands she brings us, 
Brilliants from the Muse's brain ; 

Italy declares her peerless, 

Ma Belle France', and sunny Spain. 

Sweet the lays of ancient Erin 
To our memory she recalls ; 

Hark ! the harp again is sounding, 

As of yore thro' Tara's Halls. 

While her strains of fairy music 
Fall on our enraptured ear. 

Fancy brings the hallowed valleys 
Of our country to us near. 

Every scene we loved in childhood. 
Which we looked upon with pride. 

Rises, vision-like, before us. 

Floating over memory's tide. 

There’s the stile where sat dear Mary, 
On that shining summer morn ; 


146 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Sweet the sky-lark’s song is ringing 
O’er the fields of waving corn. 

Hark the bells of Shandon pealing, 
Ringing out with joyous glee ; 

While the autumn moon’s revealing 
All the beauties of the Lea. 

See the last Rose of the Summer 
Bending in the evening gale ; 

List the rippling of the waters 
In Avoca’s lovely vale. 

Welcome Erin’s dark-eyed daughter, 
Greet her with a happy throng. 

While in thought we cross the Ocean, 
To that land of love and song. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


147 


■1:0 Jfties Jttasgit M • 

ROSE COTTAGl, HAMILTON. 

Every household has its angel.’’ 
Maggie, darling, you are mine,^ — 

Just as good and fair as any 
In the Eden-land divine. 

Every household has hs angel.” 
Would to heaven they had two. 

If each one of them were only 
Half as good and kind as you. 

Some there are who say that angels 
Long ago forsook the earth. 

I deny it ; none but angels 

Are possessed of half thy worth. 

What is it makes women angels ? 

Following out their Maker’s plan— 
Flitting here and there like sunbeams. 
Doing good where’er they can ; 

Watching o’er the bed of sickness. 
Sharing sorrows, care and grief — 
Minist’ring to those who need it. 
Striving aye to bring relief 

Such thou art, and oh ! may Heaven 
Blessings shower on thee and thine. 
All good angels keep and guard thee,” 
Maggie, darling, angel mine. 


148 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^0 JEi00 

OK HER TWENTIETH BIRTHDAY. 

Dear Niece, I g<jt your little note 
Informing me of what you thought, 

Of drawing nearer to that state 
Which all young ladies dread and hate. ^ 
And you I see are like the rest. 

Not willing you should stand the test 
Of letting all your charms decay. 

Before you throw yourself away.” 

I think you need not be afraid 
Of turning out a “ cross old maid 
E’en though your years have reached a score. 
You’ll keep at least a dozen more 
Before you need to have a care. 

Or think of dying in despair. 

So don’t sit down and cry and mope. 

For while there’s life, you know, there’s hope. 

I do not want you to delay, 

Nor throw a single chance away ; 

But if you have made up your mind, 

To enter in at Hymen’s shrine 
As soon as you can get a beau, 

That’s willing with you there to go, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 

Then let me put you on a plan 
To get at least a decent man. 

Don^t be a vain, affected prude, 

Nor yet be forward, bold, or rude ; 

A maiden can be gay and free. 

And still possessed of modesty, 
rd rather see you kind and true. 

And wise, in all your actions too ; 

Let virtue form your leading part. 

Be sure you wear it next your heart. 

That is the brightest, purest gem. 

That graces woman’s diadem ; 

O ne’er from virtue turn aside, 

But let it be your constant guide. 

Then whether you are maid or wife, 

^ Twill bring you happiness through life. 
Ne’er play the silly coquette’s part. 

And trifle with an honest heart. 

Of all vain fools they are the chief. 

And well deserve to come to grief ; 

But when you find a heart that’s true, 
That beats with honest love for you, 
Then take your chance among the rest, 
(It’s but a lottery at the best.) 

There’s many that are married now 
Would give the world to be like you. 
Some find their path, with roses strewed. 
And they of course pronounce it good ; 
While others, from the time they’re wed, 


149 


150 


J^OEMS AND S0NG3. 

On thorns and thistles make their bed 
O may the first of these be yours, 
May peace and joy fill up your hours, 
And may they glide as smooth away. 
As sunbeams on a summer day ; 

May never aught that brings distress, 
Occur to mar your happiness, 

Live so that death will bring no pain, 
And die, that you may live again. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


151 


(Sibz tt0 

Take physic, Pomp. Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, that 
thou may’st shake the superflex to them, and show the Heavens more 
just. — Lear, 

Dying, dying in hundreds, 

Starving for want of bread. 

While thousands of acres remain untilfd. 

From which millions might be fed. 

O ! ye rulers of nations. 

When will this misery cease — 

When will the laws be made equal for all, 

That the stores of the poor may increase ? 

Have ye no bowels of mercy ? 

Hardened and callous youVe grown. 

Till your hearts have been closed Against the cries of the poor. 
And when bread’s asked you give them a stone. 

Hark to their famishing groans I 
Death takes its stand by their bed ; 

Women and children and grey-haired sires 
Are dying for want of bread. 

Dying, dying in hundreds. 

Starving with hunger and cold. 

While nabobs drive fast by the homes of the poor. 

Shining in silver and gold.’' 


=>'Written at the time of the bread riots in Exeter, England, 


IS2 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


Riches and treasures in plenty 
Are gathered in heaps through the land, 
While Famine and Misery 's stalking abroad, 
Like fiends going hand-in-hand. 

When will the great and the wealthy 
Be willing to share with the poor ? 

When will the artisan earn enough 
To keep back the wolf from his door ? 

How long will the rich and the strong 
Tread the poor man down in the dirt ? 

How long, oh God, how long 
Must we sing “ The Song of the Shirt 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


133 


SBltere are ’§m, Jchn ? 

A few days ago, in a crowded court at the Assizes in Cobourg, a 
constable called aloud the somewhat familiar name of “John Smith,” 
and received no answer. We question if such a thing could take place 
anywhere else in the civilized world . — Hainilton Times. 

What's become of all the John Smiths"? 
Where’s the dear departed " gone ? 

Is it possible that Cobourg 

Never has been blessed with one ? 

Not a ^^Beak" in all the country 
( Barrin' Cobourg’s ) but will say 

That there's some one of the family 
Up before him every day. 

What is home without a mother- 
in-law for to quarrel with ? 

( One is just as bad's another,) 

What's a town without John Smith?" 

Nary one ! Unhappy Cobourg, 

There is not another place 

In the world that I have heard of 
Where John has not shewn his face. 

Out where polygamy reigneth, 

Smiths are by the acre found, — 

Johns " and Janes,” as thick as locusts. 

Are encumbering the ground. 


J54 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Would it not be well that Cobourg 
Should immediate action take, 

And send an order out to Brigham 
To export some from Salt Lake ? 

In our other towns and cities 

They ( the Smiths ) have led the van 

Till they have become more numerous 
Than the famous Ku Klux Klan. 

Smiths ! the Smiths are hydra headed ; 
Smiths grow up three deep in rows ; 

Smiths, in countless hosts and legions. 
Everywhere have poked their nose. 

Bummers, barristers and bakers, — 

Men not easily trifled with ; 

Doctors, dyers, undertakers — 

Everybody's called John Smith. 

Smithe the baliff, Smythe the barber, 
Schmidt that keeps the grocery store ; 

Smith — by Jove ! there's Smith the tailor — 
Knocking at my chamber door, 

Wanting me to lend him money. 

Only this and nothing more. 

Smiths in every hole and corner, — 
Members both of church and state ; 

Smiths in millions thro’ this vast world 
Back and forward emigrate. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


155 


When one dies there are a dozen 
Ready to fill up his room ; 

There’s no doubt but what their line will 
Stretch unto the crack of doom.” 

If the Smiths all left this planet, 

Any one can see quite plain, 

It would cause so great a vacuum. 

Chaos would come back again. 

On the map of our Dominion 
Cobourg will become a myth 

If it can’t support sev-er-al 
Families of the name of Smith. 

Smith ! I’m out of breath ; the theme is 
Too great to descant upon. 

Smith ! good gracious ! here’s that tailor 
Coming back ; so good-bye, John, 


POEMS and songs. 


156 


<Se£0nb ®pt0tk tor Wm. JttnrraB, 

My worthy friend and brother bard, 

King of Acrostics, prince of rhyme. 

The laurels will be your reward, 

All your productions are sublime. 

Green be your bays, and may they bloom 
And blossom yet for many years ; 

May happiness reign in your home. 
Unmixed with sorrows, cares and tears. 

May you and yours be blessed with all 
The joys which fortune has in store ; 
May Heaven be open to your call. 

What honest man can wish you more ? 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


IS7 


to the ‘tiloaeit of the JPres® 

At a Supper and Presentation given to J. W. Harris, Esq., of the 
Hamilton Evening Times. 

Mr. Chairman and friends, I cannot do less, 

Than say a few words to the toast of the Press ; 

At present, however, it's not my intention 
To speak of the merits of that great invention; 

Of its power to do good, or its power to do evil — 

Though loved by the Angels ’tis leagued with a Devil ; 

And though it’s a theme that your hearts may be fixed on. 
It's been spoke for to-night by McAndrew and Nixon. 

So at present I think I will lay't on the shelf. 

As the Press has a tongue that can speak for itself : 

But this much I will say, it's pleasant to see 
So many Press Printers sitting round about me. 

Who have met here to-night with this object in view. 

To give honour to one to whom honour is due ; 

And I honestly think that between here and Paris 
Few more deserving are than Mr. John Harris. 

It is true he has faults, but they're faults of the head, 

His heart with kind feelings is richly inlaid ; 

And you would not give him this token of merit 
If virtue of some kind he did not inherit ; 

Long may he continue to gain your esteem. 

Vice versa may you win the same thing from him ; 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


iss 

While there’s duty to do like Barkiss ” be willing, 

May you ne’er be so poor that you’ll see your last shilling ; 
May your Times be good times, and may they extend 
From Hamilton here to earth’s uttermost end ; 

Through storm and through sunshine, through foul and fair 
weather. 

May the Times, he, and you all grow prosperous together ; 
As your guest here to-night, let me wish you success, 

May you prosper and flourish along with the Press. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^he oi the ^ime0. 

‘‘ The times are out of joint/’ all things seem changed, 
Men now-a-days are turning quite deranged, 

Morals and manners have been thrown aside, 

Their places filled by Cant, Deceit and Pride ; 

Honor and Virtue are forgotten quite, 

And Vice stalks forth a giant in his might ; 

Fraud and Corruption, like twin-brothers, meet 
At every turn and corner of the street. 

Men in ‘‘ high places,” holding rank and power. 

Have falFn beneath those evils of the hour, — 

Placed in positions where they should be just. 

Their lives are nothing but a breach of trust.” 

Our public men” have grown from bad to worse. 
They sponge their living out the public purse,” 

Their minds seem filled with nothing else but gain. 

The silver question” ’s rooted in their brain ; 

Unlike our merchants, they take it at par. 

Grab all they can and then look out for more ; 

Brewers may cheat, or do just what they will, 

As long’s they send some ‘‘ grist” unto their “ mill.” 

Justice and Law are now as wide apart 
As any rogue could wish them in his heart. 

Law is a race-course where our lawyers run. 

To see which side will have least justice done. 


POEMS and S0NC5i 


l6o 

There’s plenty Law, of Justice we’re bereft — 

At least there’s very little of it left ; 

Her sword is blunted, and her scales, of late. 

Ate seldom used, except to give false weight,” 

And as for Truth,” she stays within her well, 

And “ meek-eyed Mercy” ’s gone with her to dwell ; 

Plain Common Sense” has vanished, God knows where. 
And ^‘Wisdom’s seat” is made the Scorner’s chair.” 
Swindlers are plentier than they were before. 

And P. T. Barnums flourish by the score. 

Forgers and burglars drive a thriving trade. 

To ‘‘ jug” them now does not make them afraid ; 

A few “ loose hundreds” given from their ‘‘ haul” 

Will place a ladder on their prison wall, 

Then if they choose they need not long remain, 

But take ‘‘ French leave” and ‘‘ come the dodge ” again* 

Next unto them the gamblers take their rank. 

Fleecing their victims nightly at the bank,” 

Winked at by those who ought to frown them down, 

And banish them from every place around ; 

Law-makers are law-breakers in their case. 

For oft they are the patrons” of their place ; 

Thus screened from justice do they ply their trade. 

And ruin thousands ere one fortune’s made. 

Madness and misery with their train all dwell 
Within the precincts of a “ gambling hell ;” 

Yet are they carried on from day to day. 

And none steps forward e’en to say them nay. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


l6l 


Eruptions in society are rife, 

And love your neighbor’' means to ‘‘ love his wife” — 
Shew her around and with her cut a dash, 

Ruin his peace and pocket all his cash ; 

On wings of love ” you hasten then afar, 

And hold your nuptials in a sleeping car. 

Shattered and broken is the marriage vow, 

And “ easy virtue” is what’s trumps just now. 

Look at those painted sepulchres ” of sin, 

Where fallen women hold their court” within. 

Just step inside and you will meet with them, 

That seem respectable, but are not what they seem 
Men who have families — aye, and honest wives 
That stay at home and fret away their lives. 

But who ne'er think their lords are bandying jests 
With jades and wantons at those sweet love feasts” — 
She whom they swore to cherish and protect 
Is left to pine in misery and neglect ; 

Oh, would to Heaven that there could be some plan 
To put a whip in every honest hand, 

Expose these wretches — have their guilt unfurled — 
And lash the rascals naked through the world !’* 

It is indeed a curious age we live in. 

When men who're trying to “ win souls to Heaven” 
Have been requested to resign their place* 

For holding forth the means of ‘‘ saving grace.” 


* It is stated as a fact, though we cannot vouch for its accuracy, that that good 
philanthropist Lord Cecil was requested by the Horse Guards to resign his com- 
mission. 


i 62 


POEMS And songs. 


Our soldiers need no saving grace at all, 

They're ‘^targets merely” just to stop a ball; 

The Horse Guards think (and they, of course, know best 

Religion in a soldier is but jest 

They would not fight if they religious were. 

And so they try to keep them as they are. 

They say it would be to the nation’s loss 
If soldiers should be Soldiers of the Cross,” 

And beat their swords to ploughshares and give o'er 
The trade of war and study it no more. 

Let’s hope the time is not far distant when 
Society will be reformed again — 

When knaves and roguery will be put to flight. 

And be compelled' to bid the world good-night. 

When virtue will be lauded and extolled. 

And prized more highly than the purest gold. 

When all mankind in one great Brotherhood 
Shall work together for each other's good. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


163 


®n the late ^tetuart Jttale0m0mt, €0x1;. 

Thou art gone to thy rest, all thy trials are o’er, 

And we would not recall thee again ; 

Thy cross like a Christian you manfully bore 
Until death rent thy heartstrings in twain. 

When the tidings which tell of thy death have been borne 
To thy birthplace, far over the sea, 

A wail will rise up from the cliffs of Stromness — 

A wail of true sorrow for thee. 

I’ll not eulogize thee — our Maker alone 
Is entitled our actions to scan ; 

But the coffin which covers thy ashes contains 
The remains of a true honest man. 


164 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


I dreamt, and methought I was carried away 
On the wings of the wind to Heaven, 

And I saw one there, ^mong the angels fair. 
Unto whom great joy was given, 

A golden crown encircled his head. 

And his body was robed in white : 

And he sat on a throne which brightly shone, 
And he gazed on a glorious sight. 

For around him was gathered an angel band, 
With harps and psalteries strung. 

And they all knelt down beside his throne. 
And they raised their voices and sung ; 

^‘Hail, brother, hail ! we welcome thee 
To the land of the Great Divine, 

And all the joys of Paradise 
Henceforward shall be thine; 

<Tor worthy art thou to reign with us, 

And share our joy always; 

Then take this lyre, and join our choir, 

And sing to Jehovah’s praise.” 

Then they led him away, but where they went 
I looked in vain to see ; 

For the vision fled as I turned in my bed 
And awoke to reality. 


Poems and soNgs; 


165 


John Jintith. 

“ ’T’/j' truey 'tis pity, and pity Uis 'tis Urtie' — Shakspeare* 

John Smith was asked to subscribe, one day, 

To a mission in Africa, far away. 

What is the mission for? he said. 

‘‘ To teach the heathen to write and read. 

And explain the ways of Christian love 
And the truths which lead to Heaven above.'’ 

All right,” quoth John. From his pocket he drew 
A cent and a dollar ; he gave the two 
To the man, who seemed to look rather strange. 

And who asked what ‘^he meant by a cent in change?” 

The cent’s for the heathen,” John Smith said, 

“To increase the fund to teach them to read. 

And become civilized, and to use the pen. 

And cheat, and lie, like Christian men. 

The dollar for you is most kindly meant ; 

You’ll require the dollar to send out the cent. 

You heathen at home are the worst of the two— - 
‘ ’Tis true, and a pity it is, ’tis true.’ ” 

John wished him good-day and was soon out of sight. 
But I cannot help thinking John Smith was right. 


1 66 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


WtnttCtt’0 Jlijjkt®. 

The editor of one of our exchanges says that the nine ladies who gave 
their votes at the late Presidential election, in Rochester, are deserving 
of a permanent place in history. 


Prepare for rhyme ; I’ll publish, right or wrong. 

Fools are my theme — let satire be my song. Byron. 


There are nine wonders in the world, 

And each of them is a nine day’s wonder ; 

There are nine ladies in Rochester 

A greatet wonder than them — by thunder. 

They went to the polls to record their votes, 

And to claim their rights in legislation — 

They thought that by mixing the sheep with the goats 
Would do much good to themselves and the nation. 

To their minds the times seemed out of joint. 

And that women were suffering degradation ; 

So they screwed their courage to the voting point. 

And tried to work out their own salvation. 

‘‘ It takes nine tailors to make one man” — * 

To say this seems to be making fun-^ 

When these nine ladies, each in herself, 

Were equal to nine men made into one* 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


I 


Ye nine who dwell on Parnassus^ heights, 

When next ye sit down to drink your wine, 

Don't fuddle away till you all get tight — 

But immortalize these ladies nine. 

Give them a place in our history — 

Put Susan B. at the head of the line ; 

Set thou thy “ mark " on this Antony — 

Cleopatra-like cause her to shine. 

And you, ye poets of mickle fame. 

Who have drank deep draughts from Parnassian pools, 

Cudgel your brains for a week or two, 

And eulogize these brainless fools. 

I love one woman as dear as life — 

I try to respect all womankind — 

But I hate these bearded and parded ones, 

With a high, Samsonic turn of mind. 

I have heard of their doings oft enough. 

And the trouble they make, and fuss and pother ; 

Heaven has given to them one sphere. 

And they try to take to themselves another. 

They jig, they amble, and gad about. 

And play fantastic tricks before 

High Heaven, and then go home at night, 

To their little beds," and lie down^and snore* 

I said they snored " — I won't take it back ; 

Whatever men dare they always do. 


i68 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


In a few more moons I expect to hear 
That they smoke tobacco, and spit and chew. 

They lie right down on their beds of down, 

And dream that men are but Fortune's fools ; 

Then they rise, with chignons on their crowns. 

And they try to push us from our stools. 

A woman is lovely in her own sphere 

(Three yards in diameter, that's nine on the round, 

With a train like the tail of a comet, in rear. 

Which daintily sweepeth all over the ground.) 

Yes, woman is lovely in her own sphere ; 

For bringing up babies she can't be beat, 

Or running up bills in the dry goods line, 

She can knock the spots off a man complete. 

I am tired of the capers which some of them cut, 

Their high-joint delusions and gaudy show ; 

As Hamlet said to his sweetheart once. 

Let them go their ways— -to a nunnery go.” 

But you, ye women of sense and worth, 

God’s second best blessing unto man, 

If you wish to retain your position on earth, 

Avoid these Amazons all that you can. 

A woman is made for a man's helpmate — 

To make home happy and share his riches, 

But not to go to the polls and vote. 

And come home half slewed in her husband’s breeches* 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


169 


^he ffimian ^cni. 

There is a tide in the affairs of women 

Which differs slightly from the affairs of men ; 

If taken at the flood it leads to fashion 
And fashion leads you to the Grecian Bend. 

The Grecian Bend to something else leads on ; 

No matter what as long as it is strange. 

Our women have like money-brokers grown ; 

They’re always hunting after Bills” and change.” 

But shortly since they were all hooped like barrels, 
But now their skirts hang round them like a sack, 
The mode is now for them to dress like camels. 

And wear a hump or two upon their back. 

Poets have sung in tender strains and sweet, 

Of maidens tripping light as any fairy ; 

But now our maidens limp along the street 
With “ bunches ” on them like a dromedary. 

Fashion has played strange antics in her time. 

And silly goslings study in her school” 

They should remember when she baits her line 
With flimsy gew-gaws, ’tis to catch a fool. 

Much has been said and written of the chignon ; 

(Pm glad its reign is drawing to an end) 

But give me, gods, a woman with a wig on 
Rather than one that has the Gtecian Bend. 


170 


POEMS AND SONGS* 


Canadian ®amen. 

The proper study of mankind is man f 
But I think that he would be less than human 
Who would not devote a part of his time 
To study man^s counterpart — a woman. 

If the tales are true that are told of her 
At the present time — or in bygone ages — 

As wife, or mother, or widow, or maid. 

She's puzzled the brains of our wisest sages. 

There are some, but they must be cynics, no doubt. 

Who don't keep their tongues fasten’d under hatches, 
Declare that a woman is nothing more 
Than a thing made up out of shreds and patches. 

Were they only judged by their flounces and frills. 

And the Fe-jee notions which Fashion bequeath them, 

I grant you our cynics would then be right ; 

But they've warm, true hearts beating underneath them^ 

But what is mankind, I would like to know, 

But a piece of patch-work from the beginning ; 

While women have been, as a general rule. 

Far often er sinned against than sinning* 

Poets have sung of their mothers-in-law, 

In many a strange and curious ditty ; 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


I’m not surprised at that, for the man 
Who (n)ever had one is an object of pity. 

She is a friend that will stick to you close — 

Some men would say just as close as a blister ; 

Let those who wish to have comfort thro’ life 
Get one, by marrying somebody’s sister. 

IVe a wife myself, and I need not blush 
When I say that at present I’m very poor ; 

But I would not give this jewel of mine 

For a thousand rich gems like the Koh-i-noor. 

We have our miffs and our tiffs, like the rest — 

Aye, as hot sometimes as a vapor bath — 

But we always make it a steady rule 

That we ne’er let the sun go down on our wrath. 

She is not an angel— at least, not quite — 

Tho’ her bright eyes with love and kindness beam 

And I know myself I am not disposed 
To be gentle and mild like a cherubim. 

I am only mortal — in this respect 

We are all alike, saints, sinners and seamen ; 

But there’s no greater blessing on earth that I know. 
Than those lovely conundrums — -Canadian women 


POEMS AND SONGS. 




of Imnxmxa^ 

An editor lives in the Buckeye State 
Who tries to do things for the best ; 

He insured his life for a very large suth 
With some Companies way out West. 

But he never once thought that by doing so 
He would often be forced to swear, 

Nor did he believe that he’d ever become 
Such an object of special care. 

He is wiser now. If he’s caught in a storm 
There are agents running round town 

To protect him with lightning-rods, and they keep 
The lightning from knocking him down. 

And in case he should manage to choke himself 
When he’s asked by his friends to dine. 

They are always on hand to wait upon him, 

And chop up his hash ” quite fine. 

If he happens to walk by a river’s brink, 

Or if e’er he goes in to swim, 

They have life-preservers they carry along. 

And they throw four or five around him. 

If he goes to shoot, he is followed then 
By the whole of the anxious staff, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


173 


And they always contrive to get him a gun 
That he can't persuade to go off. 

If he goes for his bitters " at early morn 
(Which editors do as a rule) 

They will only allow him a three-inch horn, 
And that wont keep his coppers cool. 

He is tired of life, and has told all his friends 
He would fain bid the world good bye ! 

But the Companies will not submit to this, 

And he can't get a chance to die. 

We pity his fate ; it does seem very hard 
To be pestered like this thro' life ; 

But we own that our sympathies are increased 
When we think of his waiting wife. 

Poor woman ! her cares are a burden to her — 
She worrys and frets all the day, 

And can take no comfort in saying her prayers 
Till he is got out of the way. 


174 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


inyjrcrmptu 

REPLY TO THE TOAST OF OUR GUESTS AT A SUPPER GIVEN BY 
THE B. L. E. DIVISION NO. 1 33. 

My Brothers, I^m glad to be with you all here, 

Altho’ I am not a Railway Engineer ; 

Our connection for years has been drawn down so fine 
Whate’er was your interest has also been mine ; 

And I think that I am not committing a sin 
When I claim to be one of your nearest of kin. 

Be this my excuse for addressing you now, 

Mr. Chairman, I make you my most polite bow. 

It gives me great pleasure at present to mention 
The success which attended your late great Convention, 
And to know that your Order has done so much good, 
Must be pleasing to all in this great Brotherhood. 

The further and wider its influence extends 
Has but helped to increase your large circle of friends ; 
You must be well pleased when you know and you feel 
There are many good men looking after your weal ; 

And there’s few on this list, I am certain and sure. 

Has your welfare at heart more than William K. Muir. 
You also know well you need never ask twice 
To find a good friend in our friend Joseph Price ; 

And, last but not least, in fact, second to none. 

Is our Chief Engineer,” W. A. Robinson. 

But, you must not depend altogether on friends. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


175 


If you wish to attain any high worthy ends ; 

In the world at large you must strive to do good, 
Remember mankind is one vast Brotherhood. 

And we do but our duty when we do all we can 
To improve the condition of our fellow-man ; 

There are no better mottoes to guide age or youth 
Than your own one’s — Sobriety, Justice and Truth — 
Be true to yourselves — let your ambition be 
To found more Divisions like One Thirty-Three. 

May you all take delight in the good work begun. 
And try to retain the position you’ve won. 

Your path, then, right onward and upward will be. 

As resistless as Sherman’s great ‘‘ March to the Sea.” 
Excuse my poor speech, it is bad at the best. 

But I thank you all here, as becometh your guest. 


176 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^he Wiooh Qtt^0tt(rn. 

SPOKEN AT ST. JAMES’ HALL, HAMILTON, AT A RE-UNION FOR THE 
PURPOSE OF GETTING WOOD FOR THE POOR. 

Roguery there is in all trades — that is partly understood ; 

But there’s nothing else than roguery nowadays, in selling 
wood. 

Greedy vampires fill our market — men whose consciences 
are gone. 

Or if they have any left yet, it has been turn’d into stone. 

There may be some few exceptions, but they’re very seldom 
seen ; 

Most of them will try to fleece you if they find that you are 
green. 

Every time they bring a load in, charge you higher than 
before — 

Like the paupers with the pea-soup, still keep bawling out 
for more. 

Only think of what they charge you ! is it really not absurd. 

That we must pay Seven Dollars, sometimes, for a single 
cord ? ^ 

There are many in the city who could scarcely buy’t before, 

Now it is out of their power entirely for to purchase any 
more. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 1 77 

See yon poor, half-famished widow — tears are stealing down 
her cheek — 

Shivering in her scanty garments, scarcely able e’en to speak ; 

Having toiled and scraped together all the money that she 
could, 

Pleads as if she plead for mercy to obtain a load of wood ! 

See the burly wretch beside her crack his whip and turn 
away, — 

Mistress, you can have no wood here from us at that price 
to-day.” 

Vain her wailing ! — vain her pleading !— back again she 
must retire 

To her little famished household, where there’s neither food 
nor fire. 

Think of this, you that have money — think of what the 
honest poor. 

Through the biting days of winter, in their misery must 
endure ; 

Think of those whose scanty wages scarce suffice to purchase 
food, 

Then you’ll come to learn the value there is in a cord of 
wood, 


1^8 


POEMS and songs, 


(JEanaba appeal txr tht '' ^ari0 '' ®retD * 

Lay to your oars, my hearts of oak, 

And do your duty now. 

For England means to pluck away 
The laurels from your brow. 

Our hopes are centred in your powers. 

Then deftly ply the oar. 

And try to place your country’s flag 
In triumph at the fore. 

Then ply your oars, my hearts of oak. 

And give way with a will ; 

A long, a strong and steady stroke 
Will keep you Champions still. 

Newcastle glories in her sons, 

And vaunts her dauntless crew j 
Show them that Canada can boast 
Of gallant oarsmen too — 

Men who have ne'er defeated been 
In any race they’ve run. 

And who, we hope, will still retain 
The honors they have won. 

Then ply your oars, my hearts of oak, 

And give way with a will ; 

•Written previous to the first International Match between the St. John, (New 
Brunswick), crew and that of Newcastle-on-Tyne. It will be remembered it ended 
in a victory for the Englishmen. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


A long, a strong and steady stroke 
Will keep you Champions stilL 

Victory has often times before 
Been seated on your prow-— 
Deserve success and she will not 
Forsake or leave you now ; 

Your country’s honor’s in your hand, 
Your laurels still are green, 

And may another triumph yet 
Await you at Lachine. 

Then ply your oars, my hearts of oak, 
And give way with a will ; 

A long, a strong and steady stroke 
Will keep you Champions still 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


r§o 


^printer. 

Alas ! poor Yorick, I knew him well, Horatio. 

The Printer leads a happy life — 
He' works both night and day, 
And spends his hours in usefulness 
While others sleep or play ; 

As cheerful as a galley slave 
He toils his life away. 

His pockets always are well lined 
With “ nothing much” inside, 
And as he’s not a millionaire, 

He has not any pride ; 

He needs but little here below, 
And little’s not denied. 

From sunny morn till dewy eve 
He jogs along his way. 

Rebuffs he takes for compliments, 
And almost mx for pay — 

He seems a sort of ‘‘ happy cuss” 
On whom the people prey. 

To love his neighbor as himself 
Has always been his plan. 

And when he’s socially inclined 
He goes to see a man,” 


POEMS AND SONGS. l8i 

And, in a philanthropic way, 

Shakes “ Old Tom by the hand. 

When age creeps on him, and he finds 
His brows with furrows bent. 

He meets with sympathizing friends 
Who do not care a cent 
In what way his existence ends. 

Or howsoe’er 'twas spent. 

His life he gives for other’s good. 

And though it might seem funny. 

He lives on bitters all his days 
Instead of milk and honey, 

And dies beloved by every man 
Who ever owed him money. 

To get his life insured, in life 
He very often tried. 

But as he couldn’t raise the stamps. 

He ne’er was gratified ; 

His epitaph was written thus : 

“ He lived, and moved, and — died.^’ 


POEM^ AND SONGS. 


82 


5da}30 nxz 

Delays are dangerous things, and oft 
Bring trouble in their train ; 

One moment lose, and you can ne’er 
Recall it back again ; 

Then whatsoe’er you have to do. 
Don’t linger by the way. 

Or else you’ll find the proverb true. 
There’s danger in delay. 

Shakspeare has said there is a tide 
In the affairs of men 

That must be taken at the flood 
If you would fortune gain ; 

But if the chance you seize not then, 
'Twill ebb and flow away. 

And seldom e’er returns again — 

Then trust not to delay. 

The present moment’s all we have 
That we can call our own : 

We know not what nor where we’ll be 
Before the day is done ; 

Then while the sun is shining bright, 
Be sure you make your hay, 

And go to work with all your might— 
There’s danger in delay. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


ISJ 

Procrastination is a thief, 

And him we all should dread : 

He steals the time away by which 
We earn our daily bread ; 

If you should meet him on the road, 

Pass on another way. 

Don’t take him back to your abode. 

There’s danger in delay. 

But take time by the forelock if 
You want to gain success. 

For on this, to a great extent. 

Depends your happiness. 

Don’t let until to-morrow stand 
What can be done to-day ; 

Do what you have to do off-hand, 

And never trust delay. 


POEMS AND SOKGS. 


1S4 


(Bhckmt^zx0 cSxrliloxiUB 

(AFTER PRINCE ARTHUR HAD VISITED LONDON.) 

The Prince has gone, and I am glad he has ; 

I wish to Heaven that he ne’er had come ; 
Confusion now hath made its masterpiece 
Of ev’rything that is around my home; 

My halls have been made desolate, and all 
My Brussels carpets trampled on and torn — 

Or, what’s as bad, been spattered o’er with suds; 

Oh ! would to Heaven he had ne’er been born. 

The Lord’s anointed temple has been robbed— 

At least my cellar has, of all its beer. 

By guards of honor — honor in a horn ! 

Where is the honor in a Volunteer ? 

Hooked are my. grapes — four hundred pounds or more 
My trees and vines have all been broken down ; 

No wonder is it that I feel so sore — 

That I by them should have been done so brown. 

May furies seize the wretch that took away 
My sister’s stockings and my pantaloons ; 

Accursed be the ground he treads to-day — 

A wonder ’tis he did not take my spoons. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 185 

Two warlike steeds within my stables stood 
Devouring oats and gormandizing hay ; 

Three days I fed them on the best of food, 

And now the scrubs refuse for them to pay. 

But I will have revenge— revenge is sweet ; 

And I will make them dearly rue the day 
They ever set their feet within my house ; 

They’ll find they’ll have the very devil to pay. 

What care I though the people say I’m mean ; 

They can’t say aught that I myself don’t know ; 

I can’t afford to play the host for them 

Whene’er they choose to have a raree-show. 

Unhappy’s he who on a Prince doth wait, 

But he who waits upon their suite does worse ; 

A fig for loyalty ! Glackmeyer the Great 
Waited to put some money in his purse.” 


t86 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


(Eanaia to ^roih^r Jonathan. 

0 Jonathan my jo, Jon, 

I wonder what you mean 
By raisin’ sic a fuss, Jon— 

The like was never seen ; 

You’ll hae the hale o’ Europe, Jon, 
Upon you ere ye know, 

Then you’ll need to haul your horns in. 
Dear Jonathan my jo. 

O Jonathan my jo, Jon, 

To me it’s very plain 
You want to get fair Cuba’s isle 
Awa frae bonnie Spain ; 

But gin ye try to tak’ it, Jon, 

John Bull and wee Crapeau 
Will gar ye wish ye’d stayed at hame. 
Dear Jonathan my jo. 

O Jonathan my jo, Jon, 

You arena very blate — 

I’m tauld you’re wantin’ Canada, 

To mak’ a braw new State — 

But ye can tak’ my word, Jon, 

Wi’ you we ne’er will go, 

As long as we respect oursel’s, 

Dear Jonathan my jo. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


i87 


O Jonathan my jo, Jon, 

(I dinna say’t in scorn) 

But whiles I think you're unco fond 
O ‘‘ tootin' " on your horn ; 

You've aye a lot of bounce, Jon, 

An' bluff, and brag, and blow. 

But you've wasted muckle wind for nocht. 
Dear Jonathan my jo. 

Then Jonathan my jo, Jon, 

Tak' this advice frae me : 

When dogs are lyin’ quiet and still, 

It's best to let them be — 

For gin they’re waukened up, Jon, 

Their teeth they're apt to show, 

An’ you’ll find their bite waur than their hark^ 
Dear Jonathan my jo. 

O Jonathan my jo, Jon, 

We'd like to be your friends, 

But this, unto a great extent. 

Upon yoursel' depends ; 

If you’ll do what is richt, Jon, 

Then hand-in-hand we’ll go, 

And we’ll lo'e ye yet for auld lang syne, 

Dear Jonathan my jo. 


i88 


POEMS AfjD SONGS. 


^ oi iht 

One evening when the stars were shining, 
Brightly in the deep blue sky, 

Laura stood beside her lover, 

Where a brook ran murmuring by. 

’Neath a tree whose leafy branches 
Shaded them from human sight, 

William pledged his troth eternal— 
Vowed he'd love her from that night. 

Long and earnestly he pleaded 
That she would become his bride, 

Telling her he fondly prized her 
More than all the world beside. 

And he said if he should ever 
Lightly hold the marriage vows, 

She might use her best endeavor 
To procure another spouse. 

Laura, who was unsuspicious, 

( Maidens ever are, in sooth,) 

Listened to his words with pleasure, 
Thinking they were Gospel truth. 

Then she gave her hand to William, 
Swore she'd always true remain. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


189 

William pressed her to his bosom, 

Kissed her o’er and o’er again. 

Next morn he got the marriage license, 

That same day the knot was tied, 

William was a joyous bridegroom, 

Laura was a happy bride, 

But joy, alas ! won’t last forever, 

Our path through life is sometimes thorny, 

William passed the night in clover. 

And “ cleared ” next day for Califomy.” 

Laura cried at his departure, 

But her grief she soon did smother. 

And before the week was over. 

She “ levanted ” with another. 


190 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


®ttt ®alknt ** ^ixz ^rigabe.” 

All honor to our ‘‘ Fire Brigade/' 

The gallant and the brave ; 

Aye ready !" are they in our need — 
They always “ run to save." 

By night or day they ne'er refuse 
To lend their willing aid, 

But do their duty manfully— 

Our gallant Fire Brigade." 

No coward fears their hearts assail j 
Their nerves are strong as steel, 

And often do they risk their lives 
For sake of others' weal. 

Tho' danger stares them in the face 
They never are afraid. 

But strike the lions from their path— 
Our gallant Fire Brigade !" 

Whene'er the dread alarm" is raised 
No time by them is lost ; 

They hurry forward to the fire. 

Each man is at his post. 

And fierce the fiery flames must be 
Whose progress can't be stayed 

When they're opposed by men like these 
Who form our ^^Fire Brigade." 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


1 91 


Whence come those agonizing screams 
At intervals between ? 

Look ! at yon window, thro’ the smoke, 

A living form is seen ! 

Hooks ! raise your ladders to the top. 

Quick !— ^quick, boys ! — lend your aid !” 

Up, up they mount ! She’s saved — she’s saved ! 
God bless our Fire Brigade !” 

’Tis these, and daring deeds like these, 

Which make our Firemen loved ; 

In many a hard and trying scene 
Their courage has been proved. 

Green be the bays they’ve won, and may 
Their laurels never fade ! 

And may success still wait upon 
Our gallant Fire Brigade !” 


192 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


(Snxrto. 

“ Now the ’Evens bless the Pollis Court and all its bold ver-dicts.” — Thackeray. 

Beautiful snow ! Beautiful snow ! 

What a pity it is that you bother us so ; 

In the country ^tis gladness to see you come down, 

But 'tis different quite when you fall in the town. 

If you lie on our sidewalks an inch thick or so, 

Then we’re hauled up and fined for not shov’lling the snow. - 

Sensible laws ! Sensible laws ! 

By which we are fined when there’s not any cause. 

Our Magistrate sits like a king on his throne. 

Dispensing a code that’s entirely his own ; 

What a mockery of justice they are, we all know. 

Especially this one with regard to the snow. 

Beautiful town ! Beautiful town ! 

Where our Mayor and Aldermen often sit down 
To discuss what is best for the ‘^public weal,” 

O’er a dish of mock turtle (at Lee’s) or green seal ; 

But I cannot conceive how they could blunder so. 

As to draft such a silly by-law about snow. 

Alderman Kelly ! Alderman Kelly ! 

May the whale that had Jonah three days in its belly 
Be stuffed with the members of our Corporation, 

If they don’t try and bring about some reformation. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


193 


I don^t include you— you’re straightforward, I know, 
And said what was right on this question of snow. 

Dutiful peelers ! Dutiful peelers ! 

Whose business it is to watch pickers and stealers 
To quell laAvless riot and keep crime in check. 

Is the duty of both the police and the “ beak.” 

But don’t let the thieves and the burglars all go, 

And make a great haul out a wee pickle ” snow. 

Brotherly love ! Brotherly love ! 

My spirit with kindness and pity you move. 

I am glad I have learned to return good for evil, 

Or I’d wish the whole batch of them were at — the devil, 
Or in some shady spot where no warm breezes blow, 
Buried five fathoms deep ’neath the beautiful snow. ~ 


194 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Mr. Editor, 

Sir, — 

I’ve been reading your paper, 

(I’m the person that sent you the new pair of pants), 
And of course you’ll allow me the use of your columns : 

I want to discourse on your chapter of wants.” 

To begin with, I notice a number of “ wanters 
Some want to rent houses — some houses to let ; 

But of one thing I’m sure, there are great numbers wanting 
A great many things that they never will get. 

Wanted three-score cabinetmakers, et cetera. 

To work in the factory on Bay street and York ; 
Wanted a housemaid by Mrs. G., Duke street. 

Wanted a man that knows how to pack pork. 

, Wanted a dozen good general servants. 

Good general servants ! there is no such thing ; 

Our servants (more pity) have all turned our masters — 
Whenever they choose it they give us the fling. 

Wanted a cook — the Lord sends us victuals. 

The devil sends cooks (so I’ve heard sailors say ) ; 

Too many cooks spoil the broth — that we never 
May want any cooks in {?ur house, let us pray. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


195 

Wanted a boy to be active and useful — 

As well might you ask for the man in the moon 
To stand in the Square on some Saturday evening 
Beside the new bell-tower, and whistle a tune, 

Wanted a nurse that has got some experience — 

That's a libel on nurses, — whoever saw one. 

That had not got experience enough for a dozen ? 

There is nothing new to them under the sun. 

A gentleman wants a good bedroom with board; 

It is lucky for him he don't want any more ; 

Any person who has such a thing at disposal. 

Will please address Alfred, box one-forty-four. 

Wanted one tailor and two tailoresses ; 

Wanted a milliner — aye, there’s the rub ; 

Thafs the calamity makes life a burden. 

Our millinery costs twice as much as our grub. 

Two or three joiners and carpenters wanted ; 

They must all be good hands and none of them green ; 
Wanted ten pant-makers, Sintzel & Bartman ; 

Two men to press cloth with a pressing machine. 

Wanted a stout, active boy at the straw works. 

He's wanted to work, not to study the law ; 

There's plenty of these in our city already — 

Beside this our lawyers are not men of straw." 

Wanted a teamster, one steady and sober. 

He must write a fair hand, and not get on the spree ; 


196 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Good references wanted (in a horn! — that's all bunkum) 
Apply at the office of the Spring Brewery. 

A widow is wanting a good situation; 

(God help all the widows 1) I -hope she’ll get one ; 

Jordan, to them, is a hard road to travel. 

Thorns grow on the pathway o’er which they must run. 

Wanted a railway to go the to north-west, 

(There’s a fine chance for some one to grind a big axe ;) 

Wanted a bonus — a cool hundred thousand, — 

Lord grant us the money to pay for this tax ! 

Wanted, the world and his wife, for their profit, 

To advertise in and subscribe for the Times ; 

Wanted a poet more pim-gtnX, than Wingfield, 

Wanted — 

( We decline to insert any more of these rhymes. — Ed.) 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


197 


^zxx^, 

Winner of the 3-mile single-scull race, at the Buffalo Regatta, held on 
the 4th of July, 1872. 

Canadians, your glasses fill up to the brim, 

To night let us all be quite merry. 

And drink to that famed dusky oarsman so trim — 

Our Canadian Champion, Bob Berry. 

At Buffalo our honor he nobly sustained, 

Tho^ Fortune at first was contrary; 

When the race was repeated, the victory was gained 
By the great Prince of Scullers, Bob Berry. 

Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob ! 

By that great Prince of Scullers, Bob Berry. 

His opponent w^as Coulter, who oftentimes bragged 
He could whip all the rest of creation ; 

' But Bob quickly caused him to haul down his flag. 

In sight of the great Yankee nation ! 

While we honor Bob's name, let us drink to his fame 
In a bumper of champagne or sherry ; 

The laurels he won may he stoutly maintain — 

Hip, hurrah I here’s a health to Bob Berry ! 

Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob 1 
Our Canadian Champion, Bob Berry ! 




POEMS AND SONGS. 




Going One Better. 

“ A great man’s memory may outlive his life for half a year ; but, by Our Lady, 
he’ll have to build churches then.” — Hai^let. 

A WOMAN in town, who got spliced to John Robb, 

(A turner of wood and a maker of bobbins), 

Was well pleased with her lord until death cut his stick. 
Then she went and got wed to another — called Robbins. 

For a while they were happy as bugs in a rug; 

But he, too, pegged out,” and this ended their fun. 

Few — few— were the tears that she shed on his bier. 

Then she married a friend of his named Robinson. 

They “ billed ” and they cooed ” for the space of a year, 
(Of happier couples there were very few so). 

He died^ like the others^ and she's casting sheep's eyes 
At a lineal descendant of Robinson Crusoe. 


Meteorological. 

Gloomy winter's noo awa','' 

At least 'twas thocht sae by us a'; 
But feth we hae been sair mista'en. 
For gloomy winter’s come again. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


An' blawin' fiercely up the lake, 

The cauld east wind aft gars us shake. 
March cam' in Lion-like, wi’ vigour. 
An' gangs oot wi’ uncommon rigour, 
Sweet April (bashful maiden), she 
Stan’s wi' the tear-drap in her e’e, 
Afeard to come and laith to stay, 

Till urged on by her sister May, 

She dights her e’en an’ sings a sang, 
An' smiling gently comes alang. 


Breezy. 

A Poet by the name of Breeze, 

Whose writings are considered terse, 

Is trying now to raise the wind 
By getting up a blast of verse — 

'Tis said there’s plenty of it too, 

And that his strains are sure to please us 
They’re ‘‘ windy,” but that’s nothing new 
One breeze keeps blowing other breezes. 


A Child’s Thought. 

’Twas a beautiful thought of a little girl. 
Who stood, at the evening’s close, 

And looked at three tiny buds peeping out 
On a branch by a faded rose : 


200 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


“ Come, Willie, and see those sweet little buds,^^ 
The child to her brother cries ; 

They have waken’d up just in time to kiss 
Their mother before she dies/’ 


Impromptu Apostrophe to Rosa D’Erina 

(Whilst listening to the artiste’s beautiful rendition of Kathleen, 
Mavourneen,” and other Irish melodies.) 

Hail to thee, matchless Queen of Song, 

Worthy the mantle of fam’d Catharine Hayes ; 

Thy memory will be cherished long 

By those who’ve listened to thy glorious lays. 

Thy country’s genius is enthron’d in thee. 

Exponent of the Green Isle’s minstrelsy. 


impromptu 

(While looking at the arch at Alderman Glackmeyer’s residence in 
London, erected in honor of Prince Arthur. ) 

“ Take down that arch, thou greedy scrub, 

And when the Prince next visits here. 

Don’t charge him quite so much for grub ; 

Be honest if you’re not sincere.” 


Poets’ Names. 

What poet is the tallest one ? 

Longfellow is his name, 

Who v/orked in precious metals? 
Goldsmith of village fame. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^61 


Who realized the use of words ? 

Why Wordsworth^ to be sure. 

Key was permitted to unlock 
The muse’s escruitor. 

And which one was a sufferer ? 

Fame suffered very keen ; 

White could not be a colored man ; 
There’s “ verdancy ” in Gree?i, 

Who rung the changes now and then ? 

Cmnpbell, who sung of Hope/’ 
And what one was infallible ? 

That grand old satirist Pope. 

And who had the most warlike name 
Of any one that’s here? 

He who was greater than them all— 
The world’s Bard, Shakspeare. 


Which author wrote most ? — Bulwer, Warren or Dickens ? 

It is certain they all made great use of the pen. 

Bulwer’s friends all maintain that he wrote “ Night and 
Morning /’ 

While Warren, ’tis said, only wrote “ Now and Then /’ 
But Dickens, than either, wrote more, I’ll be bound. 

For ’tis very well known he wrote ‘‘All the Year Round.” 


262 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


£iotia0. 


(On the Marriage of Mr. Joshua Filman to Miss Emma Matilda 
Sovereign, East Plamboro^ Feb. 12th, 1873.) 

Filman, my boy, I give you joy 
In getting such a wife ; 

While you have her you’ll never want 
A sovereign in your life. 

A virtuous woman is worth gold — ^ 

With gold you can’t be poor ; 

Your sovereign— in your case — will make 
Assurance doubly sure. 

May she be versed in wisdom’s ways, 

And never turn a shrew ; 

Nor prove her right to sovereignty 
By ruling over you. 

Love one another all you can ; 

By Hymen still be led ; 

And may your path throughout this life 
With sovereign gifts be spread. 


(Mr. T. Winkle to Miss Rachael Starr.) 

‘‘ Marriages are made in Heaven,” 
(Our happiness they make or mar ;) 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


203 


T. Winkle chose this mode of living, 
To get “ hitched'^ to Rachael Starr. 
In the summer, in the autumn. 

In the winter, in the spring. 

May she shed refulgence round him, 
While he keeps a Twinkle-ing. 


(The poet, Carroll Ryan, of the Ottawa Evening Mail, has married 
Miss Mclvor, a poetess, also of Ottawa.) 

No DOUBT the little Ryans will 
Be taught to carol very sweetly ; 

As both the parent birds can sing, 

They’ll fill the house with song completely. 

God bless the poet and his mate. 

Who have been bound in Hymen’s tether. 

And may the warblers long be spared 
To sing their Madrigals together. 


(On the Marriage of Mr. George Wright to Miss Olive Newell Wrong, 
by the Rev. J . Schulte, rector of Port Burwell. ) 

Let Burwell’s citizens rejoice. 

And let them all unite 
In blessing Schulte, for he is one 
Who turns Wrong into Wright. 

Thrice blessed be the happy pair. 

And may they find delight 
In married life, and soon bring forth 
A little wee ‘‘ All-Right.” 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^04 

(At West Flamboro’, Miss Emma Wheat to Mr. Richard Bickle.) 

Miss Wheat got ripe for Cupid's joys, 

And then she fell ’neath Hymen's sickle ; 

I hope her path may flowery be, 

And ne’er be thrashed by Richard Bickle. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


205 




^oztxc^l 0n ^ett£r0. 


Where the sweet-scented coal oil spreads perfume around, 
In the city of London, resides Thomas Browne ; 

Where, for fifteen years -past, he has made his abode. 

Near to Adelaide street, on the Hamilton road. 

Not rich, yet not poor, one of earth's honest toilers, 

A maker of oil stills and all kinds of boilers ; 

This paper’s for him, and I may as well state 
His post office box is ‘ E ’ — one twenty-eight'^ 


To THE Senate at Ottawa this letter send; 

To the Acting Postmaster, Jas. Wingfield, my friend. 
There is no stamp upon it, there’s none needs to be, 
For letters addressed unto Jamie gang free. 


To Adam Brown, of Hamilton, 

This letter must be given ; 

You’ll find his store upon the Gore, 

It’s number six from seven. 

His office there is up one stair, 

Just twelve feet nearer Heaven, 
Where those who deal for cash will find 
The best of bargains given. 


2o6 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Postman, take heed, this letter speed 
Pacific-ward upon its journey 
To William Onyon, Natonia street, 

In San Francisco, Californy, 

That moral, virtuous, pious town 

Where Laura Fair goes bobbin’ round.” 


\ 


SONGS 


Jfair ^ 

Let others sing of sunny climes^ 

Of lands beyond the sea ; 

There’s not a dearer spot on earth 
Than Canada to me. 

Dear Canada, loved Canada ; 

Wherever I may be, 

There’s not a land on all the earth 
Shall win my heart from thee, 

Her sons will ne’er submit to crouch 
Beneath a tyrant’s sway ; 

The stag that roams her forest glades 
Is not more free than they. 

Dear Canada, loved Canada ; 

Wherever I may be. 

There’s not a land on all the earth 
Shall win my heart from thee. 

The red-cross flag our fathers raised, 

We hail it as a friend, 

* Set to music by G. F. DeVine. 


2o8 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


And should that flag e'er be assailed, 

It's glories we’ll defend. 

Fair Canada, brave Canada, 

No land on earth more free ; 

And his would be a coward’s arm 
That would not strike for thee. 

The Scot may boast his heather hills. 
The Englishman his rose, 

And Erin’s sons may love the vales 
Where Erin’s shamrock grows. 

But Canada, loved Canada, 

Is dearer far to me ; 

No other land, however grand. 
Shall win my heart from thee. 

The sun that tints her maple trees 
With Nature’s magic wand. 

Shines down on peaceful, happy homes, 
In our Canadian land. 

Fair Canada, loved Canada, 

My heart is wed to thee ; 

Be thou the land of noble deeds. 
And Empire of the free, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


209 


of ^amiltxrn, 

The maids of Canada are fair, 

And bear the palm where’er they go, 

And loveliest of the maidens there 
Are found within Ontario. 

But if you ask me where to find 
‘The sweetest, dearest, fairest one— 

The paragon of womankind— 

Her dwelling place is Hamilton. 

The lovely maid of Hamilton, 

The charming maid of Hamilton ] 
Young Alice Dean is beauty's queen, 
And reigns supreme in Hamilton. 

Grace sits enthroned upon her brow. 

And rosy health blooms in her cheeks, 
Her voice is sweet, and soft, and low. 

And sounds like music when she speaks. 
The lilies of the field are fair 
And beautiful to look upon. 

But fairer than the lilies are. 

Is Alice Dean of Hamilton. 

The lovely maid of Hamilton, 

The charming maid of Hamilton ; 
Young Alice Dean is beauty's queen, 
And reigns supreme in Hamilton, 


210 POEMS AND SONGS. 

Her heart untainted is by guile — 

From pride and vanity she’s free ; 

A perfect heaven is in her smile, 

Her eye beams bright with modesty ; 

Her’s is a pure unsullied mind — 

If earth has angels she is one, 

For all the graces are combined 
In Alice Dean of Hamilton. 

The lovely maid of Hamilton, 

The charming maid of Hamilton ; 
Young Alice Dean is beauty’s queen. 
And reigns supreme in Hamilton, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


2II 


^ht M.tz ^ammie, 

Air — ‘ ^ Annie Laurie. ’ • 

I HAE a wee pet lammie— r 
O’ simmers she’s seen three, 

The picture o’ her mammie, 

An’ she’s unco dear to me. 

She is unco dear to me, 

She’s a blythe wee cuddlin’ doo, 

An’ the humming-bird wi’ pleasure 
Micht pree her rosy mou’. 

Like laverocks when they’re singin’ 
Up in the lift sae blue, 

Her merry voice is ringin’ 

Wi’ joy the hale day thro’. 

Wi’ joy the hale day thro’. 

She fills the house wi’ glee ; 

An’ the wee, wee laughin’ fairy 
Is a treasure aye to me. 

She rins aboot the yardie. 

An’ pu’s the bits o’ flow’rs 

As happy as a birdie 

Amang the simmer bow’rs. 

Amang the simmer bow’rs. 

When blossoms deck ilk tree ; 


212 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


But there's ne'er a flow'r amang them 
That fairer is than she. 

Her hair's like gowden nettin’, 

When wavin' in the win'; 

A gem o’ nature's settin' 

Is the dimple on her chin. 

Is the dimple on her chin, 

She's the apple o' my e'e, 

An' whate'er she is to ithers, 

She’s a warld o' joy to me. 



POEMS AND SONGS. 


213 


JlthflX’g ^xinnk @«m. 

Air — “ Morals Faery GlenF 

On Athol Bank the flowers bloom gay, 
And fresh and bright and fair ; 

But Phillis is the sweetest flower 
That sheds its blossom there. 

The ‘^modest daisy, crimson-tipp’d,’^ 
When morning opes its e'e. 

Looks round on nothing half so sweet 
Nor half so fair as she. 

And oh ! may Heaven shield that flower. 
And guard its parent stem. 

And all its choicest blessings shower 
On Athol's Bonnie Gem. 

The robin trills its sweetest song, 

When Phillis passes by ; 

The rose with envy droops its head 
When Phillis cometh nigh ; 

And Phoebus shines on Athol Bank 
And tints the flow'rets fair ; 

But Phillis is the sweetest flower 
That buds and blossoms there. 

And oh ! may Heaven shield that flower, 
And guard its parent stem. 

And all its choicest blessings shower 
On Athol's Bonnie Gem. 


14 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


TU he ^rue to ^hee. 

Young Maggie was the fairest lass 
In a' our bonnie toon, 

And lang I wooed her for my bride, 

Ere her consent I won. 

But weel I mind ae summer nicht^ 

When Maggie said to me — 

“ Hae here’s my hand, my heart’s your ain 
“ I’ll aye be true to thee.” 

Her hinnyed Avords fell on my ear 
As soft as maiden’s prayer ; 

I clasped her to my heart and vowed 
To love her evermair. 

She blushed awhile arid hung her head. 
And whispering, said to me — 

“ Ye’ve lov’d me lang, I’ve proved ye weel 
“And I’ll be true to thee.” 

But mony years hae passed since then. 

And years o’ bliss they’ve been ; 

The rose still blooms upon her cheek, 

And love lights up her een ; 

And mem’ry aye brings back the nicht 
When Maggie said to me — 

“ Hae here’s my hand, my heart’s your ain, 
“ I’ll aye be true to thee.” 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


215 


1 gitttta ^eit. 

Air — “ There's nae room for Hva." 

^Twas just about the gloamin' hout 
When Jeanie gaed awa' 

Across the fields to meet wi' ane 
She lo’ed the best of a'. 

The trysting tree soon cam’ in view, 

And there stood Willie Glen, 

Wha asked if “ he might pree her mou’/’ 

Quo’ she, ‘‘ I dinna ken ; 

I dinna ken ava,” quo’ she, 

“ I dinna ken ava ; 

YeVe sic a deil, when ye get ane 
That ye’ll be wanting twa.” 

Now, Willie he had lo’ed her lang 
Wi’ heart baith leal and true ; 

He kissed her lips sae saft and sweet, 

And praised her e’en o’ blue ; 

Then speird when she would mak’ o’ him ^ 

The happiest o’ men ? 

Young Jeanie placed her han’ in his 
And said I dinna ken ; 

I dinna ken ava,” quo’ she, 

‘‘ I dinna ken ava ; 

I dout ye’ll hae to wait for me 
Anither year or twa* 


2i6 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


“Ye ken my faithefs auld,,and frail ; 

My mither's deid and gane ; 

I couldna hae the heart to lea' 

The puir auld man alane." 

“ But, Jeanie, lass, he’ll aye find room 
Within our ‘ but and ben.’ ” 

\ 

Sin’ that’s the case, hae here’s my han’, 

And mak’ me J eanie Glen ; 

And mak’ me Jeanie Glen,” quo’ she, 
“ And mak’ me Jeanie Glen ; 

I’ll say nae mair, my Willie, dear, 

I dinna, dinna ken.” 


/ 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


217 


gan ^lark. 

(Sung at a Festival of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers.) 

Ye’ll a’ hae heard teli o' Dan Black, Dan Black ; 

He's a man that's liked well is Dan Black, Dan Black ; 
He's an auld fashioned chiel 
That’s as pawkie's the deil. 

An' a heart true as steel has Dan Black, Dan Black. 

He keeps a bit house on James Street, does Dan Black, 
Where the Western Boys " aften meet wi' Dan Black ; 
Ye may gang a' aroun' 

Frae saloon to saloon. 

But the. best hoose in toon is Dan Black’s, Dan Black's. 

If ye happen to stap in at nicht to Dan Black's 
Ye'll see naething there but what’s richt at Dan Black's; 
He's aff-handed an' clean 
When he meets wi' a frien’. 

An’ there's naething that's mean in Dan Black, Dan Black. 

He's fond o' a crack an' a joke, is Dan Black; 

He likes a guid lauch an' a smoke, does Dan Black ; 

He’s crouse an' he^s cantie. 

He’s bauld an’ he's vauntie, 

An' game as a bantie, Dan Black, Dan Black. 


2i8 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


He's a wonderfu' bodie, Dan Black, Dan Black ; 

He’s as strong as a cuddle, Dan Black, Dan Black ; 

Tho' his stature's but sma’, 

He's a match maist for twa, 

If ye happen to thraw wi' Dan Black, Dan Black. 

There's no muckle stuff left to spare in Dan Black 
Yet it's a' geyin guid what is there o’ Dan Black ; 

He's blythe an' he's free 
When he’s aff on a spree, 

Wi' his hat cock'd ajee, is Dan Black, Dan Black. 

Here's wishin' you every success, Dan Black, 

May your shadow, tho’ sma', ne'er grow less, Dan Black, 
An’ when years hae gane by, 

An' ye're laid out to dry, 

May we a' meet on high wi’ Dan Black, Dan Black. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


219 


^ MiUt 0 laur <^in. 

Come, ye crusty bachelors, that lead a dreary life, 

Get rid o’ a^ your miseries and tak^ yoursefs a wife, 

For youdl fin’ an unco difference, by lying a’ your lane. 
When you come to ken the comforts o’ a wifie o’ yourain. 

A wifie o’ your ain, O, 

A wifie o’ your ain. 

When you come to ken the comforts o’ a wifie o’ your ain. 

At nicht when ye come hame frae wark, what pleasure is’t 
to see 

The love-blinks that are dancin’ aye within your wifie’s e’e, 
Wliile she looks pleased and happy, and as proud as ony 
queen. 

It mak’s you glad to think you ha’e a wifie o’ your ain. 

A wifie o’ your ain, O, 

A wifie o’ your ain ; 

It mak’s you glad to think you ha’e a wifie o’ your ain. 

When man cam’ on the earth at first his pleasures were but 
sma’. 

Indeed it might be said that life had got nae charms ava. 
Till he wauken’d up ae mornin’ and it made him unco fain 
To fin’ close lyin’ by his side a wifie o’ his ain. 

A wifie o’ his ain, O 
A wifie o’ his ain ; 

Man ne’er was blest till ance he found a wifie o’ his ain. 


220 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Noo, ilka ane that lo'es his wife will prize her virtues high 
For me I dinna wonder that he lauds her to the sky. 

Ilk ane thinks aye their ain the best, and thafs just sae wi 
me, 

For I wudna gi^e my ain guid wife for a’ the wives I see. 

No, for a’ the wives I see. 

No, for a’ the wives I see, 

I wudn,a gi'e my ain wee wife for a’ the wives I see. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


221 


Jxrhttnk SBaugh * 

Air — ‘ ‘ Laird d Cock;pen. ’’ 

An auld farrant bodie is wee Johnnie Waugh; 

A kenspeckle bodie is auld Johnnie Waugh ; 

There’s no muckle o’ him — in stature he’s sma’ — 

But he’s warsled thro’ life for three-score years an’ twa. 

He’s hale an’ he’s hearty, he’s blythe an’ he’s free, 

An’ for an auld man he’s as brisk as a bee ; 

To Kirk upon Sunday he gangs aye fu’ braw — 

There’s nane mair respecket than auld Johnnie Waugh. 

If things whiles gang gleyd or a wee bit ajee, 

Johnnie just gies a lauch, says, Its a’ ane to me.” 

He cares na a preen for the great nor the sma’ — 
Straughtforward an’ honest is auld Johnnie Waugh. 

Tho’ his form’s a wee bent an’ his locks hae turned white. 
In guid, social freen’ship he still tak’s delight ; 

He believes that mankind should be brethren a’ ; ” 

The king o’ guid fellows is auld Johnnie Waugh. 

His wifie an’ he are as cantie an’ couth 

As they were when at first they foregathered in youth. 


*A “ Scots worthy,” an old and respected resident of Hamilton, and one of the 
original founders of the Central Presbyterian Church of that city. 


222 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Ye may search the hale kintra — ^ye winna find twa 
Mair loving than Mary an’ auld Johnnie Waugh. 

May peace in their dwellin' continue to reign ; 

Lang may they be spared amang freen's to remain; 

An' may grim misfortune ne’er lay his black paw 
On the pow o’ my worthy auld freend, Johnnie Waugh, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


223 


%kz '§zxVsi Qot in the ^a00e'^, ®. 

Air— “ Green Grow the Rashes, O 

Chorus — The deil’s got in the lasses, O ! 

The deihs got in the lasses, O ! 

Ilk month or twa Dame Fashion’s law. 
Aye mak’s them unco fashions, O ! 

Our women-folk are a’ gaun daft 
Wi’ whims an’ whigmaleeries, O ; 

Their heids are filled sae fu’ o’ dress 
They’re spinnin’ roun’ like peeries, O. 

The deil’s got in, &g. 

Their mithers used to be content 
Wi’ claes o’ their ain spinnin’, O ; 

Their dochters now maun be arrayed 
In purple an’ fine linen, O. 

The deil’s got in, &e. 

Wi’ chignons, wheels, an’ waterfa’s. 

To mak’ them braw and bonnie, O, 

They never think to get them a’ 

It costs a mint o’ money, O. 

The deil’s got in, &c. 

Wi’ feathers wavin’ richt and left. 

An’ streamers gay and gaudy, O, 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


To kirk or market now they gang 
As grand as ony leddy, O. 

The deirs got in, &c. 

Wi' bonnets just like spider’s webs 
That hang round some auld pillar, O, 
They’re unco sma’, but yet for a’, 

They cost a heap o’ siller, O. 

The deil’s got in, &c. 

But things will hae to tak’ a change, 

Or else it’s my opinion, O, 

Auld maids will soon be found in scores 
Throughout the hale Dominion, O. 

The deil’s got in, &c. 

Sae, lasses, mind what ye’re aboot, 

If ye intend to marry, O ; 

Gae owre your glaikit ways in dress. 

Or ye maun single tarry, O. 

The deil’s got in, &:c. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


235 


^ Win ^xtiJppu xr't. 

While we sit here to-night we’ll be merry and free, 

And as Time passes by still contented we’ll be ; 

Let the cares of this world for the present be forgot, 

While we’re a’ met together o’er a wee drappie o’t. 

Chorus — A wee drappie o’t, &c. 

In our journey through life we must all play our parts, 

Then let Love, Truth and Friendship remain in our hearts ; 
Let us kindly help each other for to bear our chequered lot, 
And at times, when we are happy, hae a wee drappie o’t. 

Chorus — A wee drappie o’t, &c, 

Success then to Canada, and honor’d may she be, 

May her fame be extended by land and by sea ; 

May her commerce thrive and flourish till it’s found in ilka 
spot ; 

May we aye hae peace and plenty, and a wee drappie o’t, 

Chorus — A wee drappie o’t, &c. 

A bumper to Hamilton, we’ll pledge her to-night. 

May her sons still Advance ” in the cause of Truth and 
Right ; 

Here’s to a’ her bonnie lassies, and may heaven bless their lot. 
And send them a’ guid husbands, and a wee drappie o’t. 

Chorus — A wee drappie o’t, &c. 


226 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


A TRUE Glasco chappie is Watty Muirhead ; 

He's hearty an’ happy is Watty Muirhead ; 

There's nae better butcher ere killed a beast deid 
Than the ane that I sing o’, that's Watty Muirhead. 

He's up at his wark ere the sun shows its face — 

To rowe up his sleeves he ne’er thinks a disgrace ; 

He waits on his customers a’ day wi' speed, 

Baith rich folk an' puir folk like Watty Muirhead. 

On Sundays ye’ll whiles hear him singing the psalms. 

On Mondays he's makin' minced collops or hams ; 

If he gies you his word it's as guid as his aith — 

Far mair sae than some that gangs roun' in braid claith ; 
Throughout the hale kintra he's kent far an' near 
As a man that is honest, upright an’ sincere ; 

If you want a true friend that will help you in need, 
There’s nae better fellow than Watty Muirhead. 

He's no very rich, an' he's no very puir — 

Contented wi' little and happy wi' mair 
Tho’ he prizes life’s comforts, he's no gien to greed. 

But social an’ kindly is Watty Muirhead. 

May his joys a’ be doubled, his cares flee awa’. 

An' still gain respect frae the great an' the sma’. 

An’ lang may it be ere Death nicks his life’s thread. 

Or tak’s frae amang us our Watty Muirhead. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


227 


gear. 

A SOUTHERN DITTY. 

Ah, Rosa^ if you only knew 
The love I bear for you, 

I do not think that you would ask 
If Loui still is true ; 

For hard had been my fate if love 
Had not dispelled the gloom^ 

And kept my heart with joys elate. 
And dreams of days to come. 

Then do not ask me, Rosa, dear. 

If Loui still be true. 

For not a pulse within his heart 
But beats and throbs for you. 

You mind when we were very young, 
On Master Green’s estate, 

How hard I toiled that you might rest 
In noon-day’s scorching heat ; 

And when our daily task was done. 
And all the field was clear, 

Did I not linger still behind 
To woo my Rosa, dear ? 

Then do not ask me, Rosa, dear. 

If Loui still is true. 

For not a pulse within his heart 
But beats and throbs for you. 


228 


POEMS AND SONGS, 

But now the curse of slavery’s o’er, 
And freedom’s goal is won, 

Will Rosa join her fate to one 
Whose heart is all her own ? 

For well I know you will be true, 
As Loui still hath been ; 

O, if the world were all mine own. 
My Rosa would be Queen. 

Then do not ask me, Rosa, dear, 

If Loui still is true, 

For not a pulse within his heart 
But beats and throbs for you. 



POEMS AND SOtfGSi 


^^9 


%ht dialeiiomani 


Air — “ The EnglisJwianJ' 

There’s a land where the heather and thistle wave 
Where the foot of a slave ne'er trod, 

Where the blue bells bloom o’er her martyrs’ grave, 
And hallowed is that sod. 

There’s a land whose sons are staunch and brave. 
Whose mountains are lofty and grand. 

Whose shores are kissed by the blue sea wave. 

And Scotia is that land* 

’Tis an honored place that same proud landj 
The home of the Caledonian. 

There’s a land whose bards have struck their lyres 
To none but the loftiest strains ; 

Whose inspiring tones would call forth fire 
From the dullest coward’s veins. 

There’s a land where noble Wallace fell. 

The first in freedom’s van. 

Whose name still sounds like a magic spell — 

And Scotia is that land. 

’Tis teeming with heroes that mountain land. 
The home of the Caledonian. 


All other lands the palm must yield 
To Scotia’s daughters fair; 


230 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


And in the tented battle-field 
Her sons are foremost there. 

Her tartan-plaided warriors 

Have climbed the steeps of fame ; 

Their daring deeds the wide world o'er 
Have earned a deathless name. 

'Tis a nation of heroes — deny it who can 
The home of the Caledonian. 

The Scotsman need not blush to own 
The land that gave him birth, 

For her name is known from zone to zone 
As the noblest spot on earth. 

Should the foot of a foe e'er dare to tread 
On that little land of the free, 

The thistle would raise his stately head, 

Saying, “ You manna meddle wi^ mel'^ 

It's a sturdy plant that guards our land, 
The pride of the Caledonian. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


23I 


RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 
I3TH BATTALION, HAMILTON. 

Air — “ March of the Cameron Menf 

The Thirteenth is ready, whene'er duty calls, 

To fight like their fathers of yore ; 

Though danger may threaten it never appals 
The brave and the loyal of Gore. 

I hear their bugles sounding, sounding, 

Loud by Ontario's shore. 

And the tramp of their footsteps is heard thro* 
the vale, 

'Tis the march of the heroes of Gore. 

The heart of a patriot beats in each breast 
As proudly they march to the field ; 

They have sworn to fight for their country and Queen, 
They may die, but they never will yield ! 

I hear their bugles sounding, sounding, &:c. 

^ To the front was the war-cry that pealed thro’ the land, 
When the Fenians invaded our shore ; 

And Semfer Paratus^ was answered by all 
Of the brave and the loyal of Gore. 

I hear their bugles sounding, sounding, &c. 


The motto of the Battalion. 


232 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Robert ^urns. 


Air — “ Will he no come back again ? ” 


WrtA o’ Robin has nae heard, 

He wha Scotsmen loe sae weel, 

Honor’d aye be Scotia’s bard — 

Robin was a clever chiel. 

Dear’s his fame to us, ye ken, 
Dear’s his fame to us, ye ken, 
Scotia’s muse by hill an’ glen 
Sings his praises o’er again. 

Genius shone within his e’e. 

Manliness upon his broo ; 

Ithers may hae sung as sweet, 

Nane to Nature sang sae true. 

Dear’s his fame to us, ye ken, etc. 

Open v/as his heart an’ han’, 

Poortith found in him a frien’ . . 

Wha like Robin e’er could ban, 

A’ things that were fause an’ mean. 


Dear’s his fame to us, ye ken, etc. 


I^OEMS and SONCiS. 


233 


Worth was aye what maist he prized, 
Honesty he made his theme, 

Gowd an' tinsel he despised 
If nae merit came wi' them; 

Dear's his fame to us, ye ken, etCi 

A' the world has owned his worth-— 
Nane his thrawart fate but mourns— 
Proud's the wee land in the North, 

O’ her minstrel, Robert Bums. 

Dear's his fame to iisj ye ken, etcj 


234 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^ (Song for §t. 0 gag. 

How’s a’ wi’ you the nicht, my frien’s, 
I’m glad to see you here, 

The gatherin’ o’ the clans, ye ken. 

Takes place but ance a year. 

Shame fa’ the Scot, where’er he be, 

That wadna homage pay 
To Scotland and her patron saint, 

Upon his natal day. 

Upon this nicht, wi’ fond delicht, 

The memory aften turns 
To thochts that hae been waukened up 
By Tannahill and Burns ; 

While listening to their hamely lays, 
They aye bring back to min’. 

The heather hills, and mountain rills. 
And days o’ auld lang syne. 

Our auld respectit mither aft 
Looks o’er wi’ wistfu’ een. 

Across the wide Atlantic, to 
Where Canada is seen. 

She’s unco proud o’ a’ her sons, 

That walk in honor’s way. 

And likes to hear their deeds rehears’d. 
Upon St. Andrew’s Day^ 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


235 


O, Scotia ! land o’ honest men, 

And lassies leal and true, 

Though wanderers from thy shore, our hearts 
Will aye return to you. 

W e’ll ne’er forget the land o' cakes 
Where’er we chance to gae. 

But meet and sing its praises aye. 

Upon St. Andrew’s Day. 


i^OEMS AND SONG^, 


236 


<Scotja’0 lloaring ®ame; 

( Respectfully dedicated to the President and Members of the Tkistlc 
Curling Club, Hamilton, Ont.) 

Now, Hamilton, hand up your heid ; 

Your bairns may crousley craw ; 

At playing o' the channel stane. 

Your callants ding them a'; 

The Thistle Club o' Hamilton 
Hae won a glorious name ; 

Whaure'er they be, they bear the gree. 

At Scotia's roaring game." 

Auld Scotia's roaring game, 

Auld Scotia's roaring game ; 

‘‘ The channel stane on icy plain " 

Is Scotia’s roaring game. 

Their “ skips " are clever chiels, I trow. 

And brawly do they ken 

The way to lay a ‘‘pat-lid" doon 
Or lift it aff again. 

_ Wi' anxious e'e they scan the “ tee, " 

Like Generals o’ fame, 

When, broom in han’, they take their stan’ 

At Scotia's “ roaring game." 

Kind-hearted fellows are they a', 

And fu' o' fun and glee ; 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


237 


A blither set than they ne’er met 
To play around a ^‘tee.” 

To gen’rous hospitality 
They also can lay claim ; 

They’ve aye a friendly grip for a’ 

At Scotia’s ^‘roaring game.” 

Lang may they live to throw a stane, 
And triumph o’er their foes ; 

And, victors, dine on beef and greens,” 
And pree their Athole brose.” 

May Hamilton still foremost be 
Upon the scroll o’ fame ; 

And may her curlers bear the gree 
At Scotia’s roaring game,” 


238 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Jloitalb 

THE SCOTTISH CHAMPION ATHLETE. 

Donald Dinnie’s cornin’ here, 

Donald Dinnie’s cornin’ here ; 

Spread the news baith far and near, 
That Donald Dinnie’s cornin’ here. 

Donald’s no like Heather Jock,” 

He has come o’ decent folk ; 

In his kilts he looks sae braw. 

He’ll be a credit to us a’ ; 

Donald though he’s big and stoot, 
He’s nae awkward, illTaur’d loot ; 

In manners he is frank and free, 

A brawny, bold athelete is he. 

Donald Dinnie’s cornin’ here, 

Donald Dinnie’s cornin’ here ; 

Tell the news baith far and near, 

That Donald Dinnie’s cornin’ here. 

Donald he’s a clever chiel. 

Can toss the caber like the deil : 

At throwin’ o’ the muckle stane. 

He bears the gree whaure’er he’s gane 
In ilka thing he tak’s in han’. 

He far surpasses ony man — 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


239 


A perfect Crichton in his ways, 
In a’ he does an’ a’ he says. 

Donald Dinnie’s cornin’ here, 
Donald Dinnie’s cornin’ here ; 

Tell the news baith far and near. 
That Donald Dinnie’s cornin’ here. 

Ye wha lo’e the land o’ cakes. 
Welcome Donald for its sake ; 
Show him by your presence here 
That you prize the Thistle dear : 
When you hear the piper blaw, 
Gather round him ane an’ a’; 

Wi’ a hearty, rousing cheer, 
Welcome Donald Dinnie here. 

Donald Dinnie’s com.in’ here, 
Donald Dinnie’s comin here ; 

Tell the news baith far and near, 
That Donald Dinnie’s cornin’ here. 


240 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


0 the ''Station ^^tel/' * 

Ye’ll a’ hae heard tell o’ the Laird o’ Cockpen, 

And o’ auld Diigal Paul, and o’ mony sic men ; 

But I’ll sing ye o’ ane that ye a’ ken yoursel’, 

It’s the cantie wee laird o’ the Station Hotel, 

Noo Davie’s a man that’s leal-hearted and true, 

And he cares na a bodle what ither folk do. 

Ye’ll aye find him honest and upricht himsel’, 

And a’ his bit pride is the Station Hotel, 

His heart it is big tho’ his stature be sma’, 

He’s a pouch where he keeps a bit shillin’ or twa,” 
If he meets wi’ a frien’ he aye uses him well, 

It’s the rule o’ the house, at the Station Hotel. 

But he’s no ane o’ them that’s conceited or vain. 

An’ he’ll ne’er wrang a man for the sake o’ his gain. 
But in gude social friendship there’s nane can excel 
The cantie wee laird o’ the Station Hotel. 

If you happen to stap in some nicht in the gloamin’, 
He’ll sing ye the Sorrows o’ Waggletail’s Woman,” 
How he fed her on crowdie, an’ broo an’ lang kail, 
She’d hae got better board at the Station Hotel. 


Mr. David Henderson, better known by the sobriquet of “ Wee Davie.’ 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


241 


If yere fashed wi' the blues, or get dung o’er with care, 
Or oppressed wi^ the things o’ this warl’ o’er sair, 

An’ ye want to get rid o’ them a’ for a spdl, 

Just tak a stap down to the Station Hotel. 

Ye can ha’e a douce crack, ye can hear a guid sang, 
The nicht passes by, and ye ne’er think it lang. 

It seems but a jiffy, frae nine until twel’ 

When ye crack wi’ the laird o’ the Station Hotel. 

He is always as blythe as a body can be, 

He’s aye open-hearted aff-handed and free. 

And for raising a splore he’s a host in himsel’, 

He’s the cock o’ the walk at the Station Hotel. 

Sae here’s to ye, Dave, may ye lang wag yer pow, 

An’ gang daunering about, just as ye’re doing now, 
And may cauld, thowless sorrow or poverty snell. 

Ne’er come in at the door o’ your Station Hotel. 

An’ in years after this, when ye’re laid in the mools. 
An’ the earth happit o’er ye wi’ spades, and wi’ shools, 
May ye gang up aboon, wi’ guid fellows to dwell. 
When ye’re dune wi’ the warl’ an’ the Station Hotel, 


242 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^ cSxrng, a <S0ng for Canai)^. 

** DEDICATED TO THE ROYAL CANADIAN SOCIETY OF GRIMSBY.” 

A SONG, a song for Canada, 

The brightest and the best 
Of all the lands that lie within 
The borders of the West. 

There Nature spreads her choicest gifts 
Throughout her wide domain — 

Then sing the praise of Canada, 

Again and yet again, 

A song, a song for Canada — 

The star of empire gleams 

On that proud land of forests grand. 

Of rivers, lakes and streams. 

Her boundless realms stretch far and wide. 

And reach from sea to sea ; 

Her fields are filled with waving grain, 

Her woods with melody. 

Her sons are brave, her daughters pure, 

Her honor bears no stain — 

Then sing the praise of Canada, 

Again and yet again. 

A song, a song for Canada — 

The star of empire gleams 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


243 


On that proud land of forests grand, 

Of rivers lakes and streams. 

Though Britain’s bards with one accord 

Old England’s praises swell, 4 - 

Give me the land where gallant Brock 
And brave Tecumseh fell ; 

For freedom dwells within its dells 
And there it will remain — 

Then sing the praise of Canada, 

Again and yet again. 

A song, a song for Canada — 

The star of empire gleams 
On that proud land of forests grand, 

Of rivers, lakes and streams. 


244 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


LOCAL PIECES. 


^ ©itg ygric. 

^‘DEDICATED TO THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION 
OF THE CITY OF HAMILTON.” 


Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, or else the devil will make a grandsire 
of some of you. — Shakspeare — Latest edition. 


There’s a town in auld Scotland they ca’ it Dunkeld, 
Whaur they knocked down the steeple and fuddled the bell; 
And I think the folks here would be doing what's right, 

If they pulled down our bell and our belfry some night, 

Our bell’s little else but a tumblin’4am — 

In its very best days it was naught but a sham ; 

The place where it hangs in would do very weel 
For an auld huckster’s hen-coop or fisherman’s creel. 

It’s a shame and disgrace to our city, I trow, 

That the auld crazy structure we dinna renew ; 

Some ane will be killed yet, o’ that ye’ll hear tell, 

On some dark stormy night when they’re ringing the bell. 

Our policemen a’ are afraid for to ring it — 

It jiggles and joggles whenever they swing it ; 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


245 


When they’re pulling the rope they are standing in dreed 
That the hale fabrication will fa’ on their heid. 

It’s of nae use of asking our Councillors ava 
For to get it repaired till it happens to fa’ ; 

They need a’ the siller aye now and again, 

To bring out some new-fangled schemes o’ their ain. 

The de’il tak’ them a’, not forgetting the Mayor, 

I think whiles mysel’ that they dinna act fair ; 

When they want to raise money — frae door unto door, 
They send round Tam Tindill and Peter Balfour. 

ril no misca’ them when their duty they do— 

I believe in my saul they are honest and true ; 

But if things were weel guided 'mang them for a spell, 
They might soon raise enough for a steeple and bell. 

Is there nane o’ our merchants got siller at a’ 

Is there nae Geordie Peabodys ’mang them ava? 

If there is, it is time they cam’ out o’ their shell. 

And help us to get a new steeple and bell. 

My blessing on him, aye, wha led the way first, 

That gave us a fountain to slaken our thirst ; 

His name will be honor’d — I wish that there were 
A few more amang us like Archibald Kerr. 

There are chances for-ithers to get up their name — 
We’re wanting a town-clock— wha’ll give us that same ? 
If our Council had ony respect for itsel’, 

We would ne’er need their help for a steeple or bell. 


246 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Is there nane o’ our Aldermen daur tak’ the lead ? 

Is there nane will rise up and with eloquence plead ? 
Is there nane that with glory would cover himsel’, 

By trying to get us a steeple and bell ? 

Up, Murison, up on your feet ; raise your hand — 
Let the Mayor and the rest of them all understand, 
When election day comes we will bid them farewell, 
If they dinna provide us a steeple and bell. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


247 


io bt rnxr JHaj)0v ? 


Air — “ Castles in the Air,'' 


Wha’s to be our Mayor now? 

Wha’s to be our Mayor? 

Wha’s to be the honor’d man will fill our civic chair ? 
Geordie Mills and Charlton hae filled it weel before, 

And gin we ne'er get waur than them our troubles will be o'er. 
I'm finding faut wi' naebody, but this I here declare, 

I’d like to see a worthy man get in to be our Mayor. 

Wha's to be our Mayor now ? 

Wha's to be our Mayor? 

Wha is pilin' at the wires to fill our civic chair ? 

Will it be O'Reilly, or will it Waddell be ? 

Or aiblins Johnnie Eastwood, the chief amang the three? 
There's Lister, Peirce, and Chisholm, too, a' men that's fair 
and square. 

But wha's amang us that can tell which o' them will be Mayor ? 

Wha's to be our Mayor now ? 

Wha's to be our Mayor? 

Wha's to be the lucky man to fill our civic chair ? 

McCarty or Fitzpatrick would answer vera weel, 

Or Johnnie I. Mackenzie, for he's a clever chi el ; 


248 POEMS AND SONGS. 

Guid gear’s row’d up in bundles sma’, there’s nocht o’ him to 
spare, 

I think mysel’ we might hae waur than J ohnnie for our Mayor. 

But now ye fifteen chosen ones ” ye soon will take your 
place, 

Ye’ve got the honors that ye sought, ne’er bring them to 
disgrace ; 

Aye hae the city’s weal at heart — act just by great and sma’ 

And if ye dinna do what’s richt, the deev.il tak’ ye a’ ; 

Reduce our taxes, if you can, let that be your first care, 

And gie’ us cause to bless ye a’, and him you choose for Mayor. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


249 


‘®ke ©itfi 53ark. 


Truthful L. X. & R. to the Editor— 

“ A little nonsense, now and then, 

Is relished by the wisest men.” - 


We want a nice park for the city, 

There's few that will say against that ; 

But surely it is a great pity 
A decent one can't be got at 

Without going out to the township of Barton before we can 
‘‘ squat." 

It's all very well for those people 

Who own fine “ turn-outs " and fast nags, 

And wear hats as high as a steeple 
•And live on their rich money-bags ; 

But what’s to become of the blouses v/ho canh drive down 
there in their drags ? 

Must they waddle " down to the race-course, 

And carry the ‘^kids " in their arms, 

While the sun pours his rays down in great force 
And freckles and spoils all their charms, 

Creating a row and a discord that equal War's wildest alarms. 

George H. Mills, the dauntless, where are you ? 

Come forward, and fight like a man ; 


250 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


Be a brick,” don’t let any one scare you, 

But stick like a burr to your plan. 

Go in on your muscle, my Trojan, and keep things correct — 
if you can. 

Our Aldermen, somehow or other. 

Don’t do things exactly just right ; 

They cause us a good deal of bother, 

(I don’t say they ever get tight) 

But mix up things so that our taxes are getting as high as a 
kite. 

I have heard of a wind that’s unstable. 

That’s not good for man nor for beast ; 

I have read — but it must be a fable — 

That the wise men all come from the East, 

To say so of those in our city, would seem like a big joke 
at least. ' 

Why the deuce did they not purchase Dundiirn, 

When it could have been bought for a song ? 

When we wanted to do them a good turn, 

They thought we were all in the wrong — 

And some of them gave their opinion in words emphasized 
pretty strong. 

I know that in Summer iVs pleasant 
(When Sol has ta’en out his degrees) 

To a man, whether peer or a peasant. 

To rest in the shade ’neath the trees. 

With Susan Jane sitting beside him, and list to the murmur 
of bees. 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


251 


But he who would travel to sun-rise 
To find out a spot to keep cool, 

Must have had some gold-dust thrown in his eyes,. 

Or else he must be a born fool ; 

Well, I wont say he^s foolish, but surely he didn’t learn much 
while at school. 

Let us have a good park— we won’t rue it— 

But then, let it be in a place 
Where we’ll all have a chance to get to it, 

As it should be in every such case ; 

The men who get this excel Darwin and do far more good 
to their race. 

Sam Lover — and he was no churl, 

And none will deny he knew best. 

When he said there’s no lafid in the world 
Like the land of the beautiful West.” 

Then get us a park in the West end, and set this vexed 
question at rest ! 


252 


POEMS AND SCKGS, 


^Ixt Saomau in §hck. 

The ghosts — long ago — used to dress in pure white, 
Now they're got on a different track, — 

For the Hamilton Ghost seems to take a delight 
To stroll ^round the city in black. 

Pat Duffy, who saw her in Corktown last night, 

Has been heard to-day telling his friend 

That she stood seven feet and nine inches in height, 
And wore a large Grecian Bend. 

A “ Peeler,’^ who met her, turned blue with affright, 
And in terror he clung to a post ; 

His hair (once a carroty red) has turned white, 

Since the moment he looked on the ghost. 

Her appearance was frightful to gaze on, he said,— 

It filled him with horror complete ; 

For she looked unlike anything, living or dead. 

That ever he’d seen on his beat. 

Her breath seemed as hot as a furnace ; besides, 

It smelt strongly of sulphur and gin, 

Two horns (a yard long) stuck straight out of her head. 
And her hoofs made great clatter and din. 

Her air was majestic, and terribly grand, 

As she passed, muffled up in her veil ; 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


253 


A bottle of “ ruin she held in each hand, 

And she uttered a low, plaintive wail ; 

‘ There is rest for the weary,’ but no rest for me j 
I cannot find rest if I try, — 

Three months and three days I have been on the spree; 
(Mr. Mueller, ^ How’s that for high ?’) 

I have mixed in the world, both with ^ spirits’ and men,- 
Once more with the spirits I’ll go.” 

She stopped, took a snilf of the ruin,^’ and then 
She popped into a cellar below. 

He could hear her again, crying out from her den— 
To-night you will see me no more ; 

But I’ll meet with you Saturday evening at ten, 

By the fountain that stands in the Gore.” 

Some people that passed there this morning at two, 
Found the Peeler ” still glued to his post ; 

He told them this yarn I have been telling you— 

And that’s the last news from the Ghost ! 


254 


POEMS AND SONGS. 


^iibertise. 


A man’s business increases in ratio according to the amount of advertising that 
he does .” — Horace Greeley. 


Let dogs delight to bark and bite, 

Let statesmen tell us wrong is right, 

Let lawyer loons swear black is white — 

As sometimes they will do, — 

And local editors get tight. 

For ’tis their nature too. 

Let poets when they’re making rhyme. 

Rush from ridiculous to sublime ; 

Let railroad trains be run on time, 
(Something not always done). 

And maidens marry in their prime 
(Say 'when they’re twenty-one.) 

Let those whose hearts are filled with fears, 
Retire to more congenial spheres, 

And leave us in this vale of tears 
To toil and work away. 

Rejoicing that the coming years 
Will bring nine hours a day.” 

Let parsons preach and scribblers scrawl, — 
The world is wide, there's room for all ] 


POEMS AND SONGS, 


2S5 


Let justice — at the City Hall — 

Unerringly be done ; 

Yea, even though the heavens fall 
On this our Hamilton. 

Let those who wealth and power would find, 
No longer try to go it blind 
Or in the race they’ll lag behind 
And lose the wished for prize ; 

Unless they always bear in mind. 

Their Biz ” to Advertise. 

That man will be held up to scorn 
By generations yet unborn, 

Who does not daily blow his horn ” 
Throughout the Public Press. 

Burns said that “ man was made to mourn.” 
It is not so, I guess. 

If man had only sense to see. 

The true road to prosperity. 

Then printer’s ink would flow more free. 
And each and every one 
Would flourish like a green bay tree 
That’s basking in the sun. 

The moral of all this is plain — 

That he who is not quite insane. 

In idleness will not remain 
While goods lie on his shelf ; 

But Advertise, then wealth he’ll gain ; — 
You know how it is yourself. 




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